[Event "Dortmund"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "1994.??.??"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Karpov, Anatoly"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B17"]
[WhiteElo "2675"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Blatny,P"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "1994.07.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "16"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 042"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1994.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1994.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik} c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Ng3 e6 7.
Bd3 c5 8. O-O Be7 (8... cxd4 {Ftacnik} 9. Nxd4 Bc5) 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Rd1 Qc7 11.
c4 Re8 12. dxc5 Nxc5 (12... Bxc5 {Ftacnik} 13. Ne4 b6 14. Nxc5 bxc5 $132) 13.
Bc2 Ncd7 14. Ng5 Nf8 15. N3e4 Bd7 16. Nxf6+ Bxf6 17. Qd3 Bxg5 (17... g6 $5) (
17... Bc6 {Ftacnik} 18. Nxh7) 18. Bxg5 Rac8 (18... Qe5 19. Qd2 Bc6 20. b3 f6
21. Be3 Rad8 22. Qe2 Ng6 23. Rxd8 Rxd8 24. Rd1 Re8 25. f3 a6 26. Qf2 Qc7 27. h4
$14 {_|_ Tiviakov-Adams (9)/PCA-WchQual4 New York/1994/}) 19. Rac1 (19. b3 b5 {
<->c}) 19... Qe5 (19... Qxc4 $2 20. Qxc4 Rxc4 21. Bxh7+ Kxh7 (21... Nxh7 22.
Rxc4 Nxg5 (22... Bb5 23. Rc5 $18) 23. Rxd7 $18) 22. Rxc4 $18) 20. Qd2 $14 {^^}
Bc6 21. b4 $1 b6 22. Bf4 Qf6 23. Bg5 Qe5 24. Re1 Qb8 25. a4 Ng6 26. f3 Bb7 27.
Bb1 h6 28. Be3 e5 29. Qf2 e4 30. f4 Qd6 31. Qd2 (31. c5 {Ftacnik} bxc5 32. Bxc5
Qxf4 $132) 31... Qf6 32. b5 Nh4 33. a5 $1 bxa5 (33... Nf5 $142 34. c5 Nxe3 35.
Qxe3 bxc5 36. Rxc5 $16) (33... Red8 $1 {Ftacnik} 34. Qf2 Rd3 $1 $132 35. axb6
$140 axb6 36. Bxb6 Nf3+ 37. gxf3 Rxf3) 34. c5 $16 a6 35. c6 Ba8 36. Bd4 Qd8 (
36... Qg6 $1 {Ftacnik} 37. Qf2 (37. Re3 Nf5) (37. Rc3 Nf5 38. Bxe4 Rxe4 $1 39.
Rxe4 axb5 $132) 37... Nf5 (37... Nf3+ 38. Qxf3 exf3 39. Rxe8+ Rxe8 40. Bxg6
fxg6 41. bxa6 $16) 38. Rxe4 Rxe4 39. Bxe4 axb5 $13) 37. Rxe4 axb5 38. c7 $1 Qd7
(38... Rxc7 $4 39. Rxe8+ $18) 39. Rxe8+ Rxe8 (39... Qxe8 {Ftacnik} 40. Bf2 Nxg2
41. Bf5) 40. Qd3 Ng6 (40... g6 41. Bf2 $1 Qg4 (41... Qxd3 42. Bxd3 $18 {
פh4,c8Q}) 42. Qg3 $18) 41. Bf2 Bc6 (41... Nxf4 $4 42. Qh7+ Kf8 43. Bc5+ Re7
44. Qh8#) (41... Qxd3 42. Bxd3 Rc8 43. Bxb5 Bb7 (43... Nf8 44. Ba6 $18) 44. Bd7
$18) 42. Qxd7 Bxd7 43. Rd1 Nf8 44. f5 (44. Bc5 Bg4 $1 45. Rd8 Re1+ 46. Kf2 Rxb1
47. Rxf8+ Kh7 48. c8=Q Bxc8 49. Rxc8 $13 (49. Rxc8 {Ftacnik} b4 $132)) 44...
Rc8 45. Bg3 b4 46. Bd6 Nh7 (46... a4 47. Bxf8 Kxf8 48. Rxd7 Ke8 49. Rd4 Rxc7
50. Rxb4 a3 51. Kf2 a2 52. Re4+ $18 {/\53.Ba2 Rc2 54.Re2 +-}) 47. Be4 Nf6 48.
Bb7 Re8 49. Be5 $1 Bxf5 (49... Rxe5 50. Rxd7 $18) 50. Rd8 Kh7 (50... Rf8 51.
Bd6 $18) 51. Rxe8 (51. Bxf6 $142 Re1+ 52. Kf2 Rc1 53. c8=Q Rxc8 (53... Bxc8 54.
Be4+ $1 $18) 54. Bxc8 $18) 51... Nxe8 52. Be4 $1 $18 Nxc7 53. Bxf5+ g6 54. Bxc7
gxf5 55. Bxa5 b3 56. Bc3 Kg6 57. Kf2 Kg5 58. Kf3 h5 59. h4+ $1 (59. h4+ {
Ftacnik} Kxh4 60. Bf6#) 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 24th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "1996.07.10"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A41"]
[WhiteElo "2750"]
[BlackElo "2685"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "1996.07.05"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 054"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1996.10.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1996.10.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 {Hecht Baburin Fritz} d6 2. d4 Bg4 3. c4 Nd7 4. e4 Bxf3 $5 (4... e5) 5.
Qxf3 g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. Qd1 c5 (7... c6 8. Be3 a6 9. Be2 b5 10. a3 Ngf6 11. cxb5
cxb5 12. O-O O-O 13. Qd2 Nb6 14. b3 Qb8 15. f3 Rc8 16. Rfc1 e6 $13 {
Supatashvili,K-Minasian,A/Ankara zt/1995/EXP49/}) 8. d5 $6 (8. Be3 $5) 8...
Bxc3+ {Baburin: Another good example of this strategic idea!} 9. bxc3 Ngf6 10.
f3 Qa5 11. Qb3 O-O-O {Baburin: The black king is perfectly safe on the king
side, and the text enables him to play on the opposite wing and in the centre.
Der strategische Vorteil ist auf der Seite des Nachziehenden} 12. Be2 Rdg8 13.
Rb1 {Weiß hat das Läuferpaar, aber das ist nicht gut in solchen geschlossenen
Stellungen.} Qc7 14. Be3 Kb8 15. Qc2 g5 16. O-O Rg6 17. Rb2 Ka8 $1 18. Rfb1 Rb8
{Großmeisterlich gespielt! Nach 18...b6 kommt Weiß mit 19.a4 und nach 19...a5
hat er noch nichts Konkretes, aber später können sich die Schwächungen zeigen.}
19. Kh1 h5 20. Qd2 g4 21. Qc2 {Diese Stellung erinnert mich an die Partie
Spassky,B-Fischer,R, Reykjavik,1972.} gxf3 22. gxf3 Ne5 23. f4 $1 {Fritz: 18"}
Qc8 $1 {[#]} 24. Bf1 (24. fxe5 Qh3 25. Bf1 (25. Bd3 Qf3+) (25. Bd1 Qf1+) (25.
Rg1 Rbg8 26. Rxg6 (26. Rbb1 Qxe3 27. Rxg6 Rxg6 28. exf6 Qf2 29. Bd3 Qf3+) 26...
Rxg6) 25... Qxe3) 24... Nxc4 $1 {Fritz 18'} 25. Bxc4 Qh3 {Weiß muss Qf3
abwehren. Nach 26.Qe2 kommt Nxe4 mit den Drohungen Ng3 und Nxc3.} 26. Rf1 Qxe3
27. Qd3 Qxe4+ 28. Qxe4 Nxe4 29. Bd3 f5 30. Bxe4 fxe4 {Hecht: Nach Abtausch
vieler Bauern T+Einzelbauer (h) vs T+verbundene Freibauern (a+b) mit wT hinter
dem eigenen Freibauern aber passivem wK; Mattfinale} 31. Re2 {Weiß konnte das
Matt vermeiden, landete aber in einem schlechten Endspiel. Ein Mehrbauer
reicht in diesem Turmendspiel zum Gewinn.} a6 (31... e6 $6 {Hecht} 32. dxe6
Rxe6 33. f5 Re5 34. f6 d5 35. f7 Rf8 36. Rg2 $18 {8.Reihe!}) 32. Rxe4 Rg7 33.
a4 Ka7 34. Rfe1 Rf8 35. a5 Rff7 36. R1e3 Rg4 {Weiß hat nicht nur einen Bauern
weniger, sondern auch Schwachpunkte in seiner Stellung.} 37. Rxe7 Rxe7 38. Rxe7
Rxf4 39. Re6 Rc4 40. Rxd6 Rxc3 41. Rh6 Rd3 42. Rxh5 c4 43. Rh4 c3 44. Rc4 Rxd5
45. Rxc3 Rxa5 {[#]} 46. h4 Rh5 47. Rh3 b5 48. Kg2 Kb6 49. Kf3 a5 50. Ke2 (50.
Kg4 Rh8 51. h5 a4 52. h6 a3 53. Kg5 b4 54. Kg6 a2 55. Rh1 b3 $19) 50... b4 51.
Kd2 Kb5 52. Kc2 a4 53. Kb2 Rf5 54. h5 (54. Rh2 {Hecht} a3+ 55. Kb3 Rf3+ 56. Ka2
Ka4 $19) 54... a3+ 55. Kb1 (55. Kb3 {Hecht} Rf2 $19) 55... Rf1+ 56. Ka2 {
Fritz: mate in 10} Ka4 57. Rh4 Rf2+ 58. Ka1 a2 59. h6 Ka3 0-1

[Event "Hoogovens"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "1998.01.30"]
[Round "12"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B53"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Har Zvi,R"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1998.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 063"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.03.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.03.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Bd7 5. c4 Nc6 6. Qd2 g6 7. Be2 (7. Nc3
Bh6 8. Qd1 Bg7 9. Bd2 Nf6 10. Be2 O-O 11. O-O Bg4 12. Rc1 Nd7 13. Ng5 (13. h3
Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Nd4 15. Be2 a6 16. Bd3 Ne5 17. Be3 Nxd3 18. Qxd3 Nc6 $11 {
/+/= 1/2-1/2 Lutikov,A-Zuckerman,B/Polanica Zdroj 1972/MCL 05 (28)}) 13... Bxe2
14. Qxe2 Nd4 15. Qd1 h6 16. Nf3 Nxf3+ 17. Qxf3 a6 18. Qe2 Kh7 19. b3 Rc8 20.
Qe3 $14 {1-0 Vasiukov,E-Ermenkov,E/Polanica Zdroj 1972/MCL 05 (40)}) (7. b3 Bg7
8. Bb2 (8. Nc3 Nf6 9. Bb2 Bg4 10. Be2 O-O 11. h3 Bxf3 12. Bxf3 Nd7 13. O-O (13.
Nd5 Bxb2 14. Qxb2 e6 15. Nc3 Nde5 $15) 13... Qa5 14. Rab1 Rfd8 15. Rfc1 $6 (15.
Rfd1 a6) 15... a6 16. a3 Bf6 $5 17. Bg4 (17. b4 {Ftacnik} Qg5) 17... e6 18. b4
Qg5 $1 $132 {0-1 Polgar,J-Topalov,V/Dos Hermanas 1996/CBM 53/[Ftacnik] (36)} (
18... Qc7 19. Nd5 (19. f4 $5) 19... exd5 20. cxd5 Bxb2 21. Rxb2)) 8... Bxb2 9.
Qxb2 Nf6 10. Nc3 O-O (10... Bg4 11. Nd2 O-O 12. h3 Bd7 13. Nd5 e5 14. Ne3 Nd4
15. Nc2 Ne6 16. Qc3 Bc6 17. f3 a6 18. a4 a5 19. g4 h5 $17 {0-1 Ciocaltea,
V-Quinteros,M/Vidmar mem 1973/EXT 97 (41)}) 11. Be2 Bg4 12. Nd2 Bxe2 13. Nxe2
a6 14. O-O b5 15. Nc3 b4 16. Nd5 Nd7 17. Nf3 {1/2-1/2 Savon,V-Bronstein,D/
URS-ch39 1971/URS-ch}) 7... Bg7 8. O-O Bg4 (8... Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Rb1 a6 11.
b3 Qa5 (11... Rb8 12. a4 Bg4 13. h3 Bxf3 14. Bxf3 Nd7 15. Bb2 Qa5 16. Qe3 Bd4
17. Qc1 e6 18. Ne2 Bxb2 19. Qxb2 $11 {0-1 Galego,L-Khalifman,A/Sevilla op 1993/
TD 93\03 (66)}) 12. Bb2 Rfc8 13. Rfd1 Bg4 14. Qe3 Nd7 15. Nd5 Bxb2 16. Rxb2
Bxf3 17. Bxf3 e6 18. Nc3 Rd8 19. Rbd2 $16 {1-0 Anand,V-Kasparov,G/Moscow
PCA-GP rapid 1995/EXP 46 (27)}) 9. Nc3 Nf6 10. Rb1 O-O 11. b3 Nd7 12. Bb2 Nc5
$6 {the knight on "c5" does not stand good at all,since in some position black
will have problems to play Qa5 because white is may play "b4",I like the
normal play,Qa5-Rfc8-a6 and one day I am going to take on "f3" and play b5} (
12... Qa5 $5) 13. Rfd1 a6 14. Qe3 Bxf3 (14... Qa5 $5) 15. Bxf3 $14 e6 $6 {
[%csl Rd6] I do not like move at all,just creating a big big weakness for all
the game,I mean the "d6" pawn,just look at the game Anand-Kasparov mentioned
above,even the world strongest player had terrible problems in this position}
16. g3 Qc7 17. Bg2 Rfd8 18. Ne2 $1 {a good move,after the exchange of the
bishops white will be able to double his rooks on the "d" file quickly,another
factor is the weakening of black's king,the "f6" square} Bxb2 19. Rxb2 Rac8 20.
Nc3 $14 {white's plan now is very simple,double the rooks on the "d" file and
then starting to play on the king's side with h4-h5,the problem is that black
does really has counter play,and in order the get some he weakens his position
alot} Qa5 {I know this is bad,but I can not say what is good,since I can not
any active plan for black at all, maybe doing nothing is the best?} 21. Rbd2 b5
$6 {black must have some counter-play but by trying to get one,he makes the
end much closer since he weakeness his position so much} 22. cxb5 axb5 {
this is almost symetrical to the game Anand-Kasparov just look!} 23. Bf1 $1 Na7
(23... b4 24. Nb5 Nb7 25. Qf4 {[%csl Rd6]} (25. Qe2 e5)) 24. Rxd6 Rxd6 25. Rxd6
b4 (25... Nxb3 26. axb3 Rxc3 27. Qg5 $1 Rc8 (27... Qc7 28. e5 $1 {[%cal Gd6d8,
Gg5f6]} Rf3 29. Be2) 28. Qe7 Rf8 29. Rd7 Nc6 30. Qc5 $16) 26. Na4 Nb5 (26...
Nxa4 27. bxa4 $16 (27. Ra6 Qc5)) 27. Bxb5 Qxb5 28. Nb6 $1 Rb8 29. Nc4 $16 {/+-}
Na4 (29... Nd7 30. Qd4) 30. Qd3 Nc3 (30... Nc5 31. Rd8+ (31. Qd4) 31... Rxd8
32. Qxd8+ Kg7 33. Nd6 Nb7 (33... Qd7 34. Qb6 $18 {[%csl Rc5]}) (33... Qd3 34.
Qe7 $18) 34. Nxb5 Nxd8 35. f4 $18) 31. a4 $1 $18 {creating a pass pawn} Qg5 32.
Kg2 {there is nothing more to annotate} Qc1 33. a5 Qa1 34. a6 Rf8 35. Ne5 Ne2
36. Qxe2 Qxe5 37. Qd3 Qa5 38. Qc4 h5 39. h4 {probably time trouble but any way
the game is over here.this is a very interesting game not because of the why
white or black played here but just because I almost gave to variations here,
the reason is quite simple there is almost nothing to analyse here,no big
variation,just small advantage with clear plans,and very very easy to play
with white if black gives you what he must not give!} 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 26th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "1998.07.03"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B26"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[Annotator "Bangiev,A"]
[PlyCount "113"]
[EventDate "1998.06.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 066"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.09.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.09.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 6. Be3 Rb8 7. Qd2 b5 8. Nge2
Nd4 $1 {Bangiev: Der Springer g8 soll den Läufertausch durch Be3-h6 vorhindern.
} 9. O-O b4 10. Nd1 Nxe2+ $5 {Ein seltener, jedoch ein logischer Plan.
Häufiger ist} (10... e6 11. f4 Ne7 {z.B.} 12. g4 f5 13. gxf5 exf5 14. Ng3 Qa5
15. e5 dxe5 16. fxe5 O-O 17. c3 bxc3 18. bxc3 Ne6 19. Bh6 Ba6 20. Bxg7 Kxg7 21.
Nf2 Rfd8 22. Rad1 Nd5 23. Bxd5 Rxd5 24. Nh3 Rxd3 25. Qg2 Kh8 26. Rxd3 Bxd3 27.
Qd5 Qb6 28. Nf4 c4+ 29. Kg2 Bxf1+ {0-1 Huber,G-Kudrin,S/US-op 1997/EXP 58}) 11.
Qxe2 Nf6 $1 {Der Läufertausch durch Bh6 kommt nun nicht Zustande.} (11... e6
12. Qd2 Ne7 13. d4 Qc7 14. c3 Ba6 15. Re1 bxc3 16. Nxc3 Rb4 17. dxc5 dxc5 18.
a3 Rb8 19. Na4 c4 20. Nc5 Bc8 21. Rab1 Rb5 22. b4 cxb3 23. Nxb3 O-O 24. a4 Rb8
25. Rec1 Nc6 26. Qc2 Bd7 27. Nd4 Rxb1 28. Qxb1 Bxd4 29. Bxd4 e5 30. Be3 Rb8 31.
Qd3 Qd8 32. Qd6 Be8 33. Rxc6 Bxc6 34. Qxc6 Rb1+ 35. Bf1 Qd3 36. Qe8+ Kg7 37.
Qxe5+ Kg8 38. Qb8+ Kg7 39. Bd4+ {1-0 Bezold,M-Fischer/Wiesbaden op 1990/GER 02}
) 12. a3 (12. h3 {/\Qd2,Bh6} O-O 13. Qd2 Bb7 14. Bh6 c4 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Ne3
cxd3 17. cxd3 Qb6 18. Kh2 Qd4 19. Nc2 Qxb2 20. Rfb1 Qc3 21. Qxc3 bxc3 22. e5
Nd5 23. Rxb7 Rxb7 24. Bxd5 Rb2 25. Rc1 dxe5 26. Kg2 Rd8 27. Bc4 e4 28. d4 e5
29. d5 f5 30. Kf1 f4 31. gxf4 exf4 32. Nd4 Kf6 33. Rxc3 Rb1+ 34. Kg2 g5 35. Ra3
Rd7 36. Ra6+ Rb6 37. Rxb6+ axb6 38. Nc6 h5 39. a4 g4 40. h4 Rg7 41. Nd4 Ke5 42.
Nc6+ Kd6 43. Nd4 Ke5 44. Nc6+ {1/2-1/2 Moors,H-Marian,R/BL8586 1986/BL 80}) (
12. Qd2 $2 Ng4) 12... a5 (12... bxa3 $5 13. Rxa3 Qc7 14. b3 $14) 13. axb4 cxb4
$1 {Die Pointe der schwarzen Idee.} (13... axb4 14. e5 $16) 14. Bd2 $5 {
/\Ne3-c4; Ra2,Rfa1 -> Pa5} (14. e5 $5 dxe5 15. Ba7 Bg4 (15... Nd7 16. Bxb8 Nxb8
$44) 16. f3 (16. Bc6+ Kf8 17. f3 Rc8) 16... Ra8 17. Bc5 Bf5 18. Qxe5 (18. f4 $6
Rc8 $132) 18... b3 $5) 14... Nd7 $1 15. Ra2 (15. Ne3 $2 Bxb2) 15... O-O 16. Ne3
Nc5 17. b3 {/\Nc4} (17. Rfa1 a4 18. Nc4 Be6 $36) (17. Nc4 $5 a4 18. Be3 Ba6 $13
) 17... Ba6 $8 18. Nc4 a4 $5 (18... Bxc4 19. dxc4 (19. bxc4 a4 20. Rb1 b3 21.
cxb3 Rxb3 $132) 19... Qc7 20. Be3 {/\Qd2,Bd4,Rfa1 -> Pa5}) 19. bxa4 b3 $1 20.
Ra3 (20. cxb3 Rxb3 $132) 20... Bxc4 (20... bxc2 21. Be3 (21. Ba5 Qc8 22. Qxc2
Nxd3 $17) 21... Qc8 22. Bxc5 Bxc4 $1 (22... Qxc5 23. Ra2 $14) 23. Be3 (23. dxc4
Rb2 $17) 23... Bb2 24. dxc4 Bxa3 25. Qxc2 $15) 21. dxc4 Bb2 22. Rxb3 Nxb3 23.
cxb3 Rxb3 24. Rb1 Qc7 $2 (24... Rb8 $1 25. Bg5 (25. c5 $2 dxc5 26. Bf4 Be5 $17)
25... Bf6 $15) 25. Bc1 $14 Bxc1 26. Rxb3 Rb8 (26... Rc8 27. Bf1 Ra8 28. Qd1 Bh6
29. Rb4 Bg7 30. Qd5 $14) 27. Rxb8+ Qxb8 28. c5 dxc5 29. a5 Bb2 30. a6 Bd4 31.
Bf1 c4 $1 (31... h5 32. Qb5 (32. Qa2 Qa7 33. Bc4 e6 34. Qb3 $14) 32... Qxb5 33.
Bxb5 c4 34. Bxc4 g5 35. h4 $16) 32. Qxc4 Qb2 33. Qe2 Qc3 34. Kg2 Bb6 35. Qa2
Qd4 36. Qc2 e6 37. Bb5 h6 38. Qe2 Qc5 39. Qb2 g5 $6 (39... e5 40. h4) 40. Bd3
g4 41. Qf6 h5 42. Qf4 Kf8 43. e5 Qd5+ 44. Be4 Qd4 45. Qh6+ Ke7 46. Qf6+ Kf8 47.
Bc6 {/\Qh8} Kg8 $8 48. h4 {/\Be8} (48. Be8 $2 Qe4+ $11) 48... gxh3+ (48... Qc5
49. Be4 $5 (49. Be8 Qc7 50. Kh2 Ba7 $14 (50... Kf8 $2 51. Qh8+ Ke7 52. Bxf7 $18
)) 49... Ba7 $1 $14 (49... Qd4 $2 50. Qg5+ Kf8 51. Qh6+ Ke7 (51... Ke8 52. Bc6+
Kd8 53. Qf6+ Kc7 54. Be8 $18) 52. Qf6+ Kf8 53. Bg6 $18)) 49. Kxh3 Qa1 (49...
Qxf2 50. Qxf2 (50. Qg5+ Kf8 51. Qh6+ Ke7) 50... Bxf2 51. Kh4 Kg7 52. Kxh5 f6
53. exf6+ Kxf6 54. g4 Bb6 55. g5+ Kg7 56. Be4 $18) 50. Kg2 $18 Qc1 (50... Qxa6
51. Qg5+ Kf8 52. Qh6+ Kg8 53. Be4 $18) 51. Bf3 h4 52. gxh4 Qc5 53. Bh5 Qc6+ 54.
Qf3 Qc7 55. Qb7 Qxb7+ 56. axb7 Bc7 57. f4 1-0

[Event "Tilburg Fontys"]
[Site "Tilburg"]
[Date "1998.10.28"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "1998.10.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. f3
Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 Nh5 11. Qd2 Nb6 12. Nd5 Nxd5 (12... Bxd5 13. exd5 Rc8 14.
Na5 Nxd5 (14... Qc7 15. Bh3 Ra8 16. Bg4 g6 17. Bxh5 gxh5 18. O-O-O Bg7 19. Bxb6
Qxb6 20. Rde1 O-O {0-1 Fierro Baquero,M-Buervenich,S/WchJW-U20/1994/ (35)}) 15.
Nb7 Nxe3 16. Nxd8 Nxc2+ 17. Kd1 Nxa1 18. Nxf7 Kxf7 19. Qd5+ Ke8 20. Qb7 Rd8 21.
Qxa6 Be7 22. Bxb5+ {1-0 Garcia Carbo,M-Gallego,V/Pontevedra2/1992/ (30)}) 13.
exd5 Bd7 14. Na5 (14. Rg1 Be7 15. O-O-O O-O 16. Nc5 Bf5 17. Ne4 Rc8 18. h4 Qd7
19. Bd3 Rc7 20. f4 exf4 21. Bxf4 Bxe4 22. Bxe4 Rc4 23. Rde1 Nxf4 24. Qxf4 {
1-0 Ionica,I-Iwaniuk,D/EU-chJW U16/1996/ (29)}) 14... Rc8 (14... Be7 15. O-O-O
O-O 16. Rg1 (16. Bd3 f5 17. gxf6 Bxf6 18. Be4 g6 19. Rdg1 Bg7 20. h4 Bf5 {
0-1 Dolgener,T-Armas,I/Dortmund op/1988/ (42)}) 16... Qc7 17. Kb1 g6 18. h4
Rab8 19. Be2 b4 20. Nc6 Bxc6 21. dxc6 Qxc6 22. f4 Nxf4 23. Bxf4 exf4 24. Qxf4
Rfc8 25. Bd3 Bf8 {1/2-1/2 Lukin,A-Spassov,L/Plovdiv/1984/ (39)}) 15. O-O-O Be7
16. Kb1 O-O 17. c4 $1 {Both knights are at the edge, but white is supporting
pawn break and also aims at sensitive square c6. Black one is more displaced
and has much less future.} Nf4 (17... bxc4 18. Bxc4 Nf4 19. h4 $14) 18. h4 Re8
19. Bxf4 exf4 20. Nc6 Qb6 (20... Bxc6 21. dxc6 Rxc6 (21... bxc4 $2 22. Bxc4
Rxc6 23. Bxf7+ $1) 22. cxb5 Rb6 23. bxa6 $16) 21. cxb5 axb5 22. Qxf4 $1 (22.
Nxe7+ $6 Rxe7 23. Qxf4 Re5 $44) 22... Bxc6 23. dxc6 Rxc6 24. Bd3 {[%mdl 128]
The whole difference for players lays in the position of their bishops. White
is ready to attack on the kingside while black needs many moves just to create
any threat on the opposite part of the board.} Rc5 (24... g6 $2 25. h5 $1 d5 (
25... Rf8 26. hxg6 fxg6 27. Qh4 h5 28. Qe4 $18) 26. hxg6 fxg6 27. Rxh7 $18) 25.
Rhe1 (25. Bxh7+ $5 Kxh7 26. Qxf7 Qd8 27. Rhe1 d5 $2 (27... Qd7 28. Re6 Kh8 29.
h5 Rf8 30. Qxe7 Qxe7 31. Rxe7 Rxg5 32. Rxd6 $16) 28. Qh5+ Kg8 29. g6 $18) 25...
Qc7 26. Qe4 (26. Bxh7+ $5 Kxh7 27. Qxf7 Qd7 28. Re6 Kh8 29. h5 $16) 26... g6
27. f4 Qd7 (27... d5 28. Qe3 b4 29. h5 $40) 28. h5 Rcc8 (28... d5 29. Qe2 b4
30. hxg6 fxg6 31. f5 gxf5 32. Qh5 $16) 29. Qd5 Rc5 30. Qe4 Rcc8 31. hxg6 hxg6 (
31... fxg6 $2 32. Qd5+ Kh8 33. Bxb5 $18) 32. f5 $1 {If white succeeds in
opening the kings protection his task will be much easier.} (32. Qd4 Bf8 33.
Rxe8 Rxe8 34. Qd5 Qe6 35. Qxb5 $16) 32... Bxg5 (32... Qxf5 $2 33. Qxf5 gxf5 34.
Bxb5 $18) 33. Qg2 Rxe1 34. Rxe1 Qe7 35. Qg1 $1 (35. Rxe7 $4 Rc1#) 35... Qf6 36.
Rf1 Qe7 (36... Qd8 37. fxg6 fxg6 38. Bxg6 Rc7 39. Bf5 $16) 37. Re1 $138 (37.
fxg6 $16) 37... Qf6 38. Rf1 Qe7 39. fxg6 fxg6 40. Bxg6 {The material balance
is restored, but only one king fools around naked.} Kg7 (40... Rf8 41. Re1 Qf6
42. Bd3 b4 43. Qg4 $18) 41. Bf5 (41. Rf7+ Qxf7 42. Bxf7 Rc1+ 43. Qxc1 Bxc1 44.
Be8 $14) 41... Rf8 (41... Rc5 42. Qh1 Kg8 43. Bc2 $18) 42. Qg4 Qe3 (42... Qf6
43. Bd3 Qxf1+ 44. Bxf1 Rxf1+ 45. Kc2 $18) 43. a3 Rh8 44. Bc2 (44. Bc2 Rf8 45.
Rg1 Kh6 46. Rh1+ Kg7 47. Qd7+ $18) 1-0

[Event "Tilburg Fontys"]
[Site "Tilburg"]
[Date "1998.11.02"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B43"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2700"]
[PlyCount "121"]
[EventDate "1998.10.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 1999"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1998.11.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 a6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 b5 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. O-O Qb6 8. Nf3
Qc7 9. Re1 Bc5 10. e5 f5 11. exf6 Nxf6 12. Ne4 Bxe4 13. Bxe4 Nc6 14. Bxc6 Qxc6
15. Ne5 Qc7 16. Bf4 O-O 17. Bg3 Qb7 18. Qe2 Bb6 19. Kh1 Rac8 20. Rad1 Nd5 21.
c3 Ba7 22. Rd2 a5 23. Qe4 a4 24. a3 Bb8 25. f3 Bxe5 26. Bxe5 Qc6 27. Bd4 Rce8
28. h3 Rf4 29. Qe5 Rf7 30. Qg3 h6 31. Re4 Kh7 32. Rg4 Rg8 33. Qe1 Rf5 34. Qb1
Ne7 35. Re2 Qb7 36. Rf4 Kh8 37. Rh4 Kh7 38. Kg1 Qc7 39. Re5 g6 40. Re2 Rxf3 41.
Qe4 Rf5 42. Rxh6+ Kxh6 43. Qh4+ Rh5 44. Qxe7 Qd8 45. Be3+ g5 46. Qb4 Qe8 47.
Qxb5 d5 48. Qb4 Kh7 49. Bd4 Qd7 50. b3 axb3 51. Qxb3 g4 52. Qb1+ Rf5 53. hxg4
Rxg4 54. Rb2 Qd6 55. Rb7+ Kh6 56. Rb6 Rxg2+ 57. Kxg2 Rg5+ 58. Kf1 Qf4+ 59. Ke1
Qh4+ 60. Kd1 Qh3 61. Kc2 1-0

[Event "Linares 16th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1999.02.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Leko, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2690"]
[Annotator "Lukacs,P"]
[PlyCount "51"]
[EventDate "1999.02.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik. McShane} c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4
h6 7. Nf3 Nf6 8. Ne5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bd2 Nbd7 (11... Be7 12. f4
O-O {Black is waiting with Nbd7, because after the standard c6-c5 he has an
additional possibility as Nc6.} (12... Nbd7 {- 11...Nbd7}) 13. f5 c5 14. fxe6
fxe6 15. Ne2 $1 {as in many lines, this is a strong move again.} Nc6 {Here is
the explanation for delaying Nbd7.} 16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. O-O-O Qd5 $1 18. Nc3 {
(Baklan-Epishin, Germany 1998/99)} Qxd4 $1 19. Qa6 Rab8 20. Rhe1 Bd6 $3 21.
Rxe6 (21. Bxh6 Qxh4) 21... Bf4 $13 {Epishin}) 12. f4 {McShane: 'I can't
understand the attraction of a position like this for Black. He has less space,
and when his king goes to its natural kingside, the white attack will be nasty.
'} Be7 (12... c5 13. O-O-O cxd4 {can be answered by the annoying} 14. Ng6 $1
$44 {Adams} (14. Rhe1 {looks also logical, but misses the opportunity of an
immediate blow.} Nc5 15. Qb5+ Nfd7 16. Nxf7 $5 {This temporary positional
piece sacrifice gives White some compensation, but the consequences are
unclear.} (16. Ba5 Qxh4 17. Rxd4 (17. Nxd7 Qxf4+) 17... a6 $1 (17... Qxg3 18.
Rxd7 $18)) 16... Kxf7 17. f5 exf5 18. b4 Nf6 19. bxc5 Qd5 20. Bf4 Bxc5 21. Re5
Ba3+ 22. Kb1 Qxb5+ 23. Rxb5 b6 24. Rxf5 Rhe8 25. Bc1 Bd6 26. Rf3 Bxg3 27. Rxg3
Re4 28. Bb2 Rd8 (28... Rxh4 29. Bxd4 Rd8 30. Rxg7+ Kxg7 31. Bxf6+ Kxf6 $11 {
Stefansson-H.Olafsson, Politican zt 1998}))) (12... Bd6 $142 $1 {This is the
last word now in theory, see Anand-Ivanchuk, Linares 1999 CBM 70.}) 13. O-O-O
O-O (13... c5 14. Bc3 (14. Nxd7 {gives up the strong N post without any fight.}
Qxd7) (14. dxc5 $5 {goes for an interesting, sharp _|_, for example:} Nxe5 ({
both} 14... Nxc5 $2 15. Qb5+) ({and} 14... Bxc5 $6 15. Bc3 $16 {are clearly
worse for Black.}) 15. Qxd8+ (15. fxe5 Qxd3 16. cxd3 Ng4 $132) 15... Rxd8 16.
fxe5 Nd7 (16... Ng4 17. Ne4 $1 Nxe5 18. Bc3 $14) 17. b4 Nxe5 18. Bc3) 14... O-O
15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. Qf3 (16. Qe2 $142 {- 13...0-0}) 16... Qb6 17. Ng4 Qc6 18.
Nxf6+ Bxf6 19. Bxf6 gxf6 (19... Qxf3 20. gxf3 gxf6 21. Nh5 f5 22. b4 $1 Na6 (
22... Na4 23. Rd7) 23. Rhg1+ Kh8 24. a3 $14 {with an interesting, unusual P
structure somewhat favouring for White because of the P majority on the <<.})
20. Qxc6 (20. Nh5 $5 Qxf3 21. gxf3 {- 19...Qxf3}) 20... bxc6 21. Rd6 Rfc8 22.
f5 a5 23. Re1 Kf8 24. Rd4 {1/2:1/2 Baklan-Zontakh, Donetsk zt 1998}) 14. Qe2 (
14. Ne4 Nxe4 15. Qxe4 Nf6 {1/2:1/2 Luther-Kakhiani, Recklinghauser Schachtage
1998}) ({Here White plays for f5, but it is also possible to pave the way for
a g-pawn charge with} 14. Ne4 $5 {McShane}) 14... c5 15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. Bc3 Qc7
{Black has to play very carefully, because suddenly White's -> on the >> may
become lethal.} (16... Nd5 $6 17. Qf3 (17. Qg4 f5) 17... Qc7 18. Nh5 Rfc8 (
18... Nxc3 19. Qxc3 Rfc8 20. Qg3 g6 21. Nxg6 $18) 19. Qg4 Bf8 20. Rxd5 $1 exd5
21. Nf6+ Kh8 22. Qg6 $1 $18 {[#]}) 17. f5 {'!' Ftacnik.} exf5 $2 {After this
the other N comes into the battle with great effect. Ftacnik: 'Black is making
a reckless move. The prize for solving the problem with the pawn e6 is just
too high. '} (17... Nd5 18. Bd4 {The situation is not ripe for moves like} (18.
Rxd5 $6 exd5 19. Nh5 (19. Qg4 Bf6) 19... Ne4 20. Qg4 Bf6) ({or} 18. fxe6 $2
Nxc3 19. exf7+ Rxf7 20. bxc3 Na4 $1 {'-+!' Ftacnik.} 21. Nxf7 Ba3+ 22. Kd2 Qxg3
$19) 18... Rac8 {'=' Ftacnik.} 19. Kb1 $36) (17... Rad8 {Ftacnik} 18. fxe6 Nxe6
19. Nf5 Rxd1+ (19... Nd5 20. Ng6 Rfe8 21. Be5 Qb6 22. Ngxe7+ Nxe7 23. Rxd8 Qxd8
24. Nd6 $14) 20. Rxd1 $14) 18. Nxf5 {McShane: 'It is amazing how potent a
knight on f5 is for attacking a kingside castle. Coupled with a bishop on the
long diagonal it really softens up the black king.'} Rfe8 (18... Nfe4 19. Qg4
$18) ({Nice variations arise also after} 18... Nce4 19. Rd7 $1 Nxd7 (19... Nxc3
20. Nxe7+ Kh8 (20... Kh7 21. Qd3+ $1) 21. N5g6+ fxg6 22. Nxg6+ Kh7 23. Nxf8+
Kh8 24. Ng6+ Kh7 25. Rxc7 $18) 20. Nxe7+ Kh8 21. Qxe4 Nf6 22. Qe3 $18) 19. Qf3
{Now the white knights dominate the whole board.} Bf8 {Ftacnik: 'The defense
for black is virtually impossible, there are too many tactical threats. White
light pieces in the center are exerting exceptional pressure.'} (19... Ne6 20.
Ng4 $40) (19... Nce4 20. Rd7 $1 Nxd7 21. Nxh6+ $18 {'!' McShane.} (21. Nxh6+ $1
{McShane} Kh8 (21... gxh6 22. Qxf7+ Kh8 23. Ng6# {is double checkmate!}) (21...
Kh7 22. Qf5+ g6 23. Qxf7+ Kxh6 24. Qxg6#) 22. Nexf7+ Kh7 23. Qxe4+ g6 24. h5 $1
$18 {and Black's chances would not be found by an electron microscope.})) 20.
Nxh6+ $1 {Now White is ruining Black's >> completely. In this tough variation
of the Caro Kann one mistake can be decisive.} gxh6 21. Ng4 $1 {This is again
a nice move. Ftacnik: 'Leko have missed this simple move, black king is open
and lost due to the strength of the bishop c3. '} (21. Qxf6 {was certainly
also strong, but Black can escape to a bad R _|_.} Bg7 (21... Ne4 22. Rd7 $1
Nxf6 23. Rxc7 Nd5 24. Nd7 $1) 22. Rd7 Bxf6 (22... Nxd7 23. Qxf7+ $18) (22...
Qxd7 23. Qxg7+ Kxg7 24. Nxd7+ Kg8 25. Nxc5 $18) 23. Rxc7 Bxe5 24. Rxc5 $16)
21... Nxg4 (21... Nfe4 22. Nf6+ Nxf6 23. Qxf6 {- 21...Ng4}) 22. Qxg4+ Kh7 23.
Qf5+ Kg8 24. Qf6 {and the battery on the long /^ decides the battle.} Kh7 {
'[]' Ftacnik.} 25. Qh8+ (25. h5) 25... Kg6 26. h5+ {McShane: 'I like to see
players punished for playing to draw with Black.'} 1-0

[Event "Linares 16th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "1999.02.25"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E32"]
[WhiteElo "2714"]
[BlackElo "2716"]
[Annotator "Golod,V"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "1999.02.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 070"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.06.08"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 Ba6 $5
8. e3 $5 {-is the main line,other options are:} (8. Nf3 $5) (8. Rc1 $5) (8. f3
$6 {-see comments to Golod,V-Dgebuadze,A/Hoogeveen,1998(1-0) (Golod,V)(52)}) ({
and} 8. Qf3 $5 {see comments to Dias,P-Miralles,G/Escaldes,1998/CBM 68(1/2-1/2)
(Rodriguez,Am)(18)}) 8... d6 $5 (8... h6) (8... d5) ({and} 8... c6 {-was
checked in the previous game.}) 9. Nf3 $5 {Desides,white has several options:}
(9. Bd3 $5 {[%cal Gg1e2] -is the main line.}) (9. f3) (9. Qc2) (9. b4) 9...
Nbd7 10. Nd2 $5 ({Also possibly:} 10. Bd3 $5) ({and} 10. b4 $5) 10... c5 $5 {
[%cal Ga8c8]} (10... h6 $143 11. Bh4 c5 12. dxc5 dxc5 13. f3 Bb7 14. g4 Qc7 15.
Bg3 e5 16. Rg1 Bc6 (16... Rfd8 $5 17. O-O-O b5 $1 $132) (16... Rad8 $6 17.
O-O-O $14) 17. O-O-O Rfe8 18. h4 Qb7 19. g5 Nh5 20. Bh3 $14 {1-0 Hillarp
Persson,T-Rozentalis,E/Koge 1997/EXT 98 (33)}) (10... Rc8 $5 {Tsesarsky} 11. b4
$6 (11. Qc2 $5 Bb7 12. f3 c5 13. dxc5 Rxc5 14. Bh4 d5 15. b4 Rc8 16. Qb2 Re8
17. Be2 e5 18. cxd5 Bxd5 19. O-O Nf8 20. Bb5 $14 {1-0 Kelecevic,N-Wirthensohn,
H/SWZ 1997/EXT 99 (38)}) (11. Bd3 $132) 11... c5 $15 {-see comments to
Pedersen,S-Lalic,B/London,1997/CBM62(0-1)(Tsesarsky)(35)} (11... h6 $143 12.
Bh4 Bb7 13. f3 e5 14. Bd3 exd4 15. Qxd4 Ne5 16. Be2 c5 17. Qb2 $14 {1-0
Kiriakov,P-Savon,V/Sochi 1997/EXT 99 (38)})) 11. dxc5 bxc5 {Is the best move!}
12. Bd3 h6 13. Bh4 Ne5 $6 $146 {[%csl Rh4][%cal Ge5g6]} (13... Bb7 $5 14. O-O
a5 15. Rad1 {+/=/=; 0-1 Ostenstad,B-Har Zvi,R/Eikram mem op, Gausdal NOR,1996
(40)}) 14. Bc2 $14 ({Slightly worse is:} 14. Be2 {(><h5)} Ng6 (14... Rb8 $6 15.
b4 $1 $14) 15. Bg3 e5 {+/=/=}) 14... Ng6 15. Bg3 ({Senseless:} 15. Bxf6 Qxf6
16. Qxf6 gxf6 17. Ne4 {[%csl Rd6,Rf6]} Bxc4 18. Nxd6 (18. b3 Bb5 19. Nxd6 Bc6
$11) 18... Bd5 $11) (15. Bxg6 $143 fxg6 16. e4 g5 17. Bg3 $13) 15... Nh5 $5 ({
Also can be recommended:} 15... Qb6 $5) 16. f3 {[%cal Gg3f2]} Nxg3 17. hxg3 f5
$1 {/\Qf6} ({Dubious:} 17... Rb8 {because of:} 18. g4 $36 {(><f5,h5)} (18. Bxg6
$143 fxg6 $13)) 18. O-O-O $5 {[%csl Rd6][%cal Yc1b2]} ({Worse is:} 18. g4 {
in view of:} Qf6 19. Qxf6 Rxf6 $11) 18... Qf6 ({After:} 18... Ne5 19. g4 $1 f4
(19... fxg4 20. f4 Nf7 (20... Nc6 $2 21. Ne4 $16) 21. Qd3 Re8 $8 22. Qh7+ Kf8
23. Bg6 $1 $36 {/\Ne4(קd6)}) 20. exf4 Rxf4 21. Qe3 {white has a strong
initiative on the centre and on the king side.}) 19. Qxf6 Rxf6 20. Nb3 $1 {
[%csl Rd6]} e5 $8 (20... Rd8 $2 21. Nxc5 Bxc4 22. Nb7 $16 {[%csl Rd6,Rd8]}) (
20... Bxc4 $2 21. Rxd6 $16 {[%csl Ra7,Gb3,Rc5,Gd6]}) 21. Na5 {White's plan is:
Rd2,Rhd1(קd6)} Rb8 ({Badly:} 21... Rc8 $2 22. Rd2 $140 Kf8 23. Rhd1 Ke7 {
[%csl Ye7] because of:} 24. Ba4 $1 $16 {/\Nc6}) (21... Kf7 $5 22. Rd2 $140 Rb8
23. Rhd1 Rb6 $14 {[%csl Yb6,Rd6,Yf6][%cal Yb6d6,Yf6d6]}) 22. e4 $1 f4 $6 ({
In my opinion it is obligatory:} 22... fxe4 23. Bxe4 (23. Nc6 $2 Rb6 24. Bxe4
Bxc4 25. Nxa7 Ne7 {=/=/+}) 23... Ne7 {and white has a slight positional
advantage.}) 23. g4 Rb6 $6 24. Rd2 Nf8 $6 (24... Nh8 $5 {/\Nf7(><d6)}) (24...
Ne7 $5 {><c6}) 25. Rhd1 Kf7 26. Ba4 $1 {with the idea Bc6 or Nc6} Ke7 $2 (26...
Ng6 $142 27. Kc2 {[%csl Yc4][%cal Gc2c3] /\Kc3;Bc6} (27. Nc6 $6 Bxc4 28. Rxd6
Rxd6 29. Rxd6 Be6 $14) 27... Ne7 28. Kc3 $14) 27. Nc6+ {[%csl Rd6]} Rxc6 $8 28.
Bxc6 Bxc4 29. Kc2 $16 {/\Kc3,b4(קa7)} a5 $8 30. Kc3 Bf7 31. b4 axb4+ 32. axb4
cxb4+ 33. Kxb4 {[%cal Gd1a1,Ga1a7]} Ne6 {[%cal Ge6d4]} (33... Nd7 $143 34. Ra1
Be6 35. Ra7 Rf8 36. Rc2 Rb8+ ({Loses right away:} 36... Rc8 $2 37. Bxd7 $1 Rxc2
38. Ba4+ {[%csl Rc2]}) 37. Bb5 {/\Ka5,Rcc7+-}) 34. Rxd6 Nd4 ({Badly:} 34... Nf8
$2 {in view of} 35. Rxf6 Kxf6 36. Bd5 $18) 35. Rd7+ Kf8 (35... Ke6 $2 36. Kc5
$18 {[%csl Re6]}) 36. Rd8+ $138 Ke7 37. Rd7+ Kf8 38. Ba4 $18 Rb6+ 39. Ka5 Rb8 (
{Senseless:} 39... Rb2 {in view of:} 40. Rc1 {[%csl Rf8]} Rb8 41. Ra7 $18) 40.
Ra7 {Ivanchuk lost on time in the absolutely winning position.} 0-1

[Event "Dos Hermanas 10th"]
[Site "Dos Hermanas"]
[Date "1999.04.06"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2713"]
[Annotator "Atlas,V"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "1999.04.06"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 071"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {Ftacnik} c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3
Be6 8. f3 Nbd7 9. g4 b5 10. g5 b4 11. Ne2 $1 $146 {[%cal Ge2g3,Gg3h5,Gg3f5]
[%mdl 12] Ftacnik: 'An ambitious attempt to keep the position more complicated
than after the standard 11.Nd5. '} ({This novelty is an important alternative
to the standard continuation} 11. Nd5 {, which was tested in the strongest
tournaments this year:} Nxd5 12. exd5 Bf5 13. Bd3 Bxd3 14. Qxd3 Be7 15. Rg1 (
15. h4 O-O 16. O-O-O a5 17. Nd2 f5 18. gxf6 Nxf6 19. h5 Qc8 20. h6 g6 21. Rhg1
Kh8 22. f4 Ng4 {1/2-1/2 Shirov,A-Svidler,P/Wijk aan Zee 1999/CBM 69_07 (41)})
15... O-O 16. O-O-O a5 17. Nd2 f5 18. gxf6 Nxf6 19. Kb1 Nh5 20. Rg4 Qd7 21. Rc4
Qf5 22. Qxf5 Rxf5 23. Rc7 Bf8 24. Rb7 Nf6 25. Rb5 Ne8 26. Rb7 Nf6 27. Rb5 Ne8
28. Rb7 Nf6 {1/2-1/2 Leko,P-Kasparov,G/Linares 1999/CBM 70_07 (28) Avoiding
exchanges, White strives towards rapid development completion, intending to
place his knight on g3, from where he can access h5- and f5-squares.}) 11...
Nh5 12. Qd2 Be7 13. Ng3 Nf4 (13... Nxg3 {Ftacnik} 14. hxg3 a5 15. Bb5 $14) 14.
h4 (14. Bxf4 {Ftacnik} exf4 15. Qxf4 Bxg5 16. Qxd6 Be7 $14) 14... h6 (14... O-O
{Ftacnik} 15. Qxb4 d5 16. Qd2 $16) 15. Bxf4 $1 (15. Nd4 {Ftacnik} hxg5 16. Nxe6
fxe6 17. hxg5 Rxh1 18. Nxh1 Qc7 $11) (15. gxh6 $2 {Ftacnik} Bxh4 $1 16. Bxf4
exf4 17. Qxf4 Rxh6 18. Bg2 Bxb3 19. axb3 g5 20. Qg4 Nf6 21. Qh3 Nh5 $19) 15...
exf4 16. Nh5 $1 {Ftacnik: 'White has given up the important dark squared
bishop, so he needs a good compensation for it. '} (16. Qxf4 $6 {Ftacnik} hxg5
17. hxg5 Rxh1 18. Nxh1 Ne5 $15) 16... Bxb3 (16... hxg5 {yileds White a very
dangerous attack:} 17. hxg5 (17. Nxg7+ Kf8 18. Nxe6+ fxe6 19. Nd4 $36) 17...
Bxg5 18. O-O-O (18. Nxg7+ Ke7) 18... O-O 19. Qh2 g6 (19... f6 20. Nxg7 $1 $18)
20. Nf6+ Kg7 $8 21. Nxd7 Qxd7 22. Qh7+ Kf6 23. e5+ $1 Kxe5 24. Qg7+ f6 (24...
Bf6 25. Re1+ Kf5 26. Bd3+ Kg5 27. Qh6#) 25. Bc4 $1 Qxg7 (25... d5 26. Qxd7 Bxd7
27. Rxd5+ Ke6 28. Re1+ Kf7 29. Rxd7#) 26. Rhe1+ Kf5 27. Bxe6#) (16... g6 {
Ftacnik} 17. Ng7+ Kf8 18. Nxe6+ fxe6 19. Nd4 Nc5 20. Nc6 Qe8 21. Qxf4+ $16) 17.
axb3 g6 18. Nxf4 hxg5 19. Nd5 Rxh4 (19... gxh4 {was more stubborn, although
after} 20. O-O-O {White has excellent attacking prospects.}) (19... Ne5 {
Ftacnik} 20. Be2 Rxh4 21. Rxh4 gxh4 22. Qxb4 $14) 20. Rxh4 gxh4 21. O-O-O {
Ftacnik: 'Black seems to be doing good with elimination of most white's
attacking pieces. Unfortunatelly for him the king will be hard presses to find
a safe heaven and opposite coloured bishops are strong weappon for the
attacker. '} (21. Qxb4 {Ftacnik} a5 22. Qa4 Kf8 $14) 21... Nf6 (21... Bg5 {
falls short} {after} 22. f4) 22. Bc4 {'!' Ftacnik.} (22. Nxe7 {Ftacnik} Qxe7
23. Qxb4 Rd8 24. Bxa6 Qe5 $14) 22... Nxd5 23. Qxd5 {[%csl Rd6,Rf7][%cal Gc4f7,
Gd1d8,Ge4e5,Ge5d6,Ge5e6]} Bg5+ 24. Kb1 Ra7 {'[]' Ftacnik.} 25. e5 $1 {
Undertaking impressive march of the e-pawn, which crowns White's attack.
Ftacnik: 'Adams has higher ambitions than eliminating into inferior ending
with 25.Qxd6.'} Kf8 (25... dxe5 {loses after} 26. Qxe5+ Qe7 27. Qb8+ {'+-'
Ftacnik.}) (25... Qa8 {Ftacnik} 26. Qd4 $16) 26. e6 $1 Bf6 (26... fxe6 {
fails to} 27. Qxe6 Kg7 28. Rxd6 Qf6 (28... Qe7 29. Qxg6+ Kh8 30. Qg8#) 29. Qg8+
) 27. exf7 Qe7 28. f4 Qxf7 (28... Kg7 {Ftacnik} 29. Qg2 d5 30. Bxd5 $18) (28...
Rd7 {Ftacnik} 29. Rg1 $18) 29. Qxd6+ Qe7 30. Qb8+ Kg7 31. Rg1 {[%csl Rg6,Rg7,
Rg8][%cal Gc4g8,Gb8g8,Gc4d3,Gd3g6,Gg1g6] Black is defenseless against manifold
threats of the perfectly interacting white pieces.} Kh6 32. Bd3 Rd7 33. Qg8 {
[%mdl 1]} (33. Qg8 Qf7 34. Rxg6+ Kh5 35. Be2#) 1-0

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia 29th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "1999.05.17"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Short, Nigel D"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C03"]
[WhiteElo "2716"]
[BlackElo "2697"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "1999.05.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 071"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1999.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "1999.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Be7 4. e5 c5 5. Qg4 g6 6. dxc5 f5 7. Qg3 Nd7 8. Bb5
Qa5 9. Bxd7+ Bxd7 10. c3 Qxc5 11. Ne2 Bd8 12. Nb3 Qe7 13. h4 Bc7 14. h5 gxh5
15. Bg5 Qg7 16. f4 h6 17. Bh4 Rh7 18. Nc5 b6 19. Nxd7 Qxg3+ 20. Nxg3 Kxd7 21.
Nxh5 b5 22. Rh3 Rf7 23. Rg3 Ne7 24. Bxe7 Rxe7 25. Rg6 Rh8 26. Rd1 Bb6 27. Rd3
a5 28. Nf6+ Kc7 29. Rxd5 Be3 30. Rxb5 Bxf4 31. Rxa5 Kb7 32. Rb5+ Ka7 33. Nh5
Bg5 34. Rg7 Rhe8 35. Rxe7+ Rxe7 36. Rb4 Rc7 37. Nf4 Rc5 38. Nd3 Rd5 39. Ke2 1-0

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia 30th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2000.05.24"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Gurevich, Mikhail"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A08"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2694"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2000.05.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 077"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d3 c5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 Nge7 5. Bg2 g6 6. h4 h6 7. O-O Bg7 8. c3 d5
9. Qe2 b6 10. e5 Qc7 11. Re1 Bb7 12. Na3 a6 13. Nc2 d4 14. cxd4 cxd4 15. Ncxd4
Nxd4 16. Nxd4 Rd8 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Nf3 Rd7 19. Qe4 Qxe4 20. dxe4 Rd3 21. Be3
Nc6 22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Nxe5 24. Nxe5 Bxe5 25. Bxb6 Bxb2 26. Be3 Bg7 27. Rd6
O-O 28. Rxa6 Rc8 29. a4 Rc4 30. a5 Bd4 31. Bxh6 Rc2 32. Ra8+ Kh7 33. Be3 Bxe3
34. fxe3 Re2 35. a6 Rxe3 36. Kf2 Ra3 37. e5 Ra2+ 38. Kf3 Ra3+ 39. Kg4 Ra4+ 40.
Kh3 Kg7 41. a7 1-0

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia 30th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2000.05.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C89"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2000.05.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 077"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Rxe5 c6 12. d4 Bd6 13. Re1 Qh4 14. g3 Qh3 15.
Re4 g5 16. Qf3 Bf5 17. Bc2 Bxe4 18. Bxe4 Qe6 19. Bxg5 f5 20. Bxd5 $6 {White
wrongly gives up his bishop and his compensation for the exchanges diminishes.
The experiences white players have made with 20.Bd3 are rather encouraging.} (
20. Bd3 h6 $1 21. Bd2 Ra7 {~/= /\ Rg7, f4 Nunn}) 20... cxd5 21. Nd2 f4 22. Bxf4
(22. gxf4 h6 23. Bh4 Rxf4 $15) 22... Bxf4 23. gxf4 Ra7 24. Kh1 Re7 $1 (24...
Rg7 25. Rg1 Rxg1+ 26. Kxg1 $13) (24... Raf7 $6 25. Rg1+ Kh8 26. Qe3 $14) 25.
Rg1+ (25. Nb3 Kh8 26. Nc5 Qe2 27. Qxd5 Rg8 $1 $19) 25... Kh8 26. Nf1 Qe4 {
[%mdl 4096] The endgame is better for Adams, the rook is much stronger than
the knight and three rather scathered pawns.} 27. Kg2 (27. Qxe4 Rxe4 28. Rg4
Re2 29. b4 Rxf2 30. Ne3 R8xf4 (30... Re8 31. Nxd5 Re1+ 32. Rg1 Ree2 33. Rg3
Rxa2 $17) 31. Rxf4 Rxf4 32. Kg2 Re4 33. Nxd5 Re2+ 34. Kg3 Rxa2 $17) 27... Qxf3+
28. Kxf3 Re1 29. Rh1 (29. Kg2 Rb1 30. b4 Rc1 31. Kf3 Rc8 $17) 29... Re4 30. Nd2
(30. Ne3 Rexf4+ 31. Kg3 Rxf2 32. Nxd5 R8f3+ 33. Kg4 h5+ 34. Kh4 Rxb2 $19) 30...
Rexf4+ 31. Ke3 Rxf2 32. a4 Rg2 $1 {White has lost two pawns, but his problems
are far from over.} (32... bxa4 33. Ra1 Rxh2 34. Rxa4 Rf6 35. Ra5 $17) 33. axb5
axb5 34. b3 (34. h4 h5 $19) 34... Rff2 35. Nf3 Rb2 36. b4 Rgc2 37. Kd3 Rf2 38.
Ke3 Rbe2+ 39. Kd3 Ra2 40. Ke3 Rae2+ 41. Kd3 Re4 42. Ne5 Rfe2 $1 0-1

[Event "Sarajevo Bosnia 30th"]
[Site "Sarajevo"]
[Date "2000.05.29"]
[Round "11"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C03"]
[WhiteElo "2715"]
[BlackElo "2748"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2000.05.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "BIH"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 077"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.07.27"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.07.27"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Be7 4. Bd3 c5 5. dxc5 Nf6 6. Qe2 Nc6 7. Ngf3 Nb4 8.
Nb3 Nxd3+ 9. cxd3 a5 10. Bg5 a4 11. Nbd2 h6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. e5 Be7 14. Rc1
Ra5 15. Qe3 O-O 16. O-O Bd7 17. Rc2 Qa8 18. Rfc1 Rc8 19. Nf1 Qa7 20. d4 Qa6 21.
Ng3 b6 22. c6 Be8 23. Nh5 Qb5 24. g4 Ra7 25. g5 hxg5 26. Nxg5 Rac7 27. Kh1 Rxc6
28. Rxc6 Rxc6 29. Rg1 Qxb2 30. Nxg7 Qc3 31. Nxe8 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2000.07.07"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Piket, Jeroen"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2649"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2000.07.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Bg4 8. c4
Nf6 9. cxd5 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Qxd5 11. Qxd5 Nxd5 12. Nc3 O-O-O 13. Bc4 Nce7 14. Bd2
g6 15. Rfe1 Bg7 16. Bg5 Rd7 17. Bxe7 Nxe7 18. Bxf7 Kb8 19. Re2 Nc8 20. Bb3 Rxd4
21. g3 a5 22. Rae1 Nd6 23. Kg2 b5 24. a3 Rf8 25. Nd5 Bh6 26. f4 c5 27. Re6 Rd8
28. Ne7 Kc7 29. Bd5 Bf8 30. Bf3 Rd2+ 31. R6e2 Rxe2+ 32. Rxe2 Bxe7 33. Rxe7+ Rd7
34. Re5 Kb6 35. Rd5 Rd8 36. g4 c4 37. Kf2 Nf7 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2000.07.10"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B31"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2770"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "2000.07.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 078"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2000.10.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bg7 6. h3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Nd7 8.
O-O e5 9. Be3 O-O 10. Qd2 Re8 11. Nh2 Qe7 12. Bh6 Bh8 13. Ng4 Nf8 14. Bg5 f6
15. Nh6+ Kg7 16. Be3 Ne6 17. Ne2 Ng5 18. Ng4 h5 19. Nh2 Rd8 20. Qc3 Ne6 21. f4
Nd4 22. Rae1 Kh7 23. Nf3 Be6 24. fxe5 fxe5 25. Ng5+ Kg8 26. Nxe6 Nxe6 27. Qb3
Kh7 28. Rf2 Rf8 29. Ref1 Bg7 30. Kh2 b6 31. Ng1 Nd4 32. Qa4 b5 33. Qa3 a5 34.
Qc3 a4 35. Nf3 Ne6 36. b3 Kg8 37. Qd2 axb3 38. cxb3 Rad8 39. Qc3 g5 40. g3 Rd7
41. h4 gxh4 42. Nxh4 Rxf2+ 43. Rxf2 Qd6 44. Rd2 Nd4 45. Qc1 Bf6 46. Bxd4 Bxh4
47. Bxc5 Qh6 48. gxh4 Qf4+ 49. Kh1 Rg7 50. Qd1 1-0

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "New Delhi/Teheran"]
[Date "2000.12.08"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2000.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 080"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.01.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.01.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. a3
b5 9. g4 Bb7 10. f3 Nfd7 11. Qd2 Ne5 12. O-O-O Nbd7 13. f4 Nc4 14. Bxc4 Qxc4
15. Rhe1 Nf6 16. Qg2 d5 17. e5 Ne4 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Kb1 Bd5 20. b3 Qc7 21. Bc1
Bc5 22. Bb2 O-O-O 23. f5 Qb6 24. b4 Be7 25. g5 Rd7 26. f6 Bd8 27. Nb3 gxf6 28.
gxf6 Qc6 29. Nc5 Ra7 30. Nxe4 Bc7 31. Qg7 Rd8 32. Nc3 Bf3 33. Rxd8+ Bxd8 34.
Qxh7 Rd7 35. Ne4 Rd1+ 36. Rxd1 Bxe4 37. Rxd8+ Kxd8 38. Qg8+ Qe8 39. Qg1 Qc6 40.
Qf2 Ke8 41. Qd2 Qc4 42. Qd1 Bd5 43. Qg1 Kd7 44. Qa7+ 1-0

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "New Delhi/Teheran"]
[Date "2000.12.09"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2755"]
[BlackElo "2707"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2000.11.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "IND"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 080"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.01.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.01.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Be2 Qc7 8. a3
b5 9. Qd2 Bb7 10. f3 Nbd7 11. O-O-O d5 12. exd5 Nxd5 13. Nxd5 Bxd5 14. Kb1 Nf6
15. g4 Bc4 16. Bf4 Qb6 17. Be5 Nd5 18. Rhe1 O-O-O 19. Bd3 Bc5 20. Nb3 Bf2 21.
Rf1 Bxd3 22. cxd3 Be3 23. Qc2+ Kb7 24. d4 f6 25. Bg3 Ka7 26. Rfe1 g6 27. Qd3
Bh6 28. Re2 Rhe8 29. Rc2 Rc8 30. Re1 Rxc2 31. Qxc2 Bf8 32. Rc1 Bd6 33. Qc6 Rd8
34. Bxd6 Rxd6 35. Qe8 Qd8 36. Qxd8 Rxd8 37. Rc6 Nf4 38. Nc5 Rxd4 39. Rxa6+ Kb8
40. Nxe6 Nxe6 41. Rxe6 Rf4 42. Rb6+ Ka7 43. Rxb5 Rxf3 44. Rc5 Kb6 45. Rc3 Rf4
46. h3 f5 47. gxf5 Rxf5 48. Ka2 Kb5 49. Rb3+ Ka5 50. Rb4 Rf3 51. h4 h5 52. Re4
Rg3 53. Re5+ Kb6 54. a4 Rh3 55. Re4 Ka5 56. b3 Rh1 57. Kb2 Rg1 58. Re5+ Kb6 59.
Ka3 Rg4 60. Re6+ Kc5 61. Rf6 Rxh4 62. Rxg6 Rh1 63. Rg5+ Kb6 64. a5+ Kc6 65. Ka4
h4 66. Rg6+ Kc7 67. Rh6 h3 68. Kb5 h2 69. b4 Kd7 70. Rh7+ 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2001.01.17"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C52"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[Annotator "Lukacs,P"]
[PlyCount "54"]
[EventDate "2001.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%mdl 4]} e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4 exd4 7.
O-O Nge7 8. Ng5 d5 9. exd5 Ne5 10. Bb3 O-O 11. cxd4 {This is the old line here,
which was regarded as satisfactory for Black. What was Morozevich's
improvement?} (11. Nxh7 {- Short-Adams, Bosna Super GM Sarajevo 2000 CBM 77})
11... Ng4 12. Qf3 (12. Ba3 Nxd5 $1 {This is the typical method for a strong
counterattack. Suddenly Black's pieces come out of passivity very quickly, and
it is White, who has to defend himself.} 13. Bxf8 Qxg5 14. Bc5 (14. Bxd5 Qxd5
15. Ba3 Bd7 {Black has more than enough compensation for the exchange because
of his lead of development, ^^, and the weak pawns in White's camp.} 16. Nd2
Re8 (16... Qxd4 17. Nf3 Qxd1 18. Rfxd1 Bc6 $15) 17. Nb3 Bb6 18. Rc1 Re6 19. Rc3
Bb5 20. Re1 Bxd4 21. Nxd4 Qxd4 $15 {Anderssen-Mieses, Breslau m 1867}) 14...
Nf4 $1 $44 {with attacking chances on the >>.}) 12... Nf6 $5 (12... Qd6 {
deserves also attention.} 13. Bf4 (13. Qg3 Qxg3 14. hxg3 Bb6) 13... Qf6 14. Nc3
{(Bronstein-Ivanov, Maidstone Menchik op 1994)} {missing the brilliant} Nxh2 $1
15. Qh5 (15. Kxh2 Bxc3 $17) (15. Bxh2 Qxg5 16. d6 Bg4 $17) 15... Bf5 $17) 13.
Ba3 h6 14. Ne4 (14. Qe2 Nfxd5 15. Bxd5 Nxd5 16. Bxf8 Qxg5 $15) 14... Nxe4 15.
Qxe4 Re8 {White has still problems with the development of his N.} 16. Bb2 Nf5
17. Qf4 Bb4 {/\ Bd6 blockading the weak pawns and attacking on the >>.} 18. Na3
Bd6 {Black has a very comfortable position, the duel in the opening is clearly
to his favour.} 19. Qd2 Qh4 20. g3 Qh3 21. Nc4 b5 $1 (21... Nh4 22. f4 Bg4 23.
Ne5 Bxe5 24. dxe5 Nf3+ 25. Rxf3 Bxf3 26. e6 $44) 22. Ne5 $2 {White wants more
than he can afford in the position.} (22. Nxd6 cxd6 {leaves Black with a
virtual P majority, but White has chances for a persistant defence because of
his ^^.} 23. Rac1 Bb7 24. Rc7 Re7 25. Rfc1 Rae8 26. Rxe7 Rxe7 27. Re1 (27. Qa5
$2 Re2 28. Qxb5 Nh4 $1 29. gxh4 Qg4+ 30. Kf1 Qf3 $1 $19) 27... a6 28. Rxe7 Nxe7
29. Qe2 Qd7 $15) 22... Bb7 23. Rae1 a5 $1 24. a3 b4 $1 25. axb4 $2 {This loses
outright, already it is difficult to give a good advice.} (25. a4 Ne7 $19)
25... Bxb4 26. Bc3 Bxc3 27. Qxc3 {[#]} Nh4 $1 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2001.01.25"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2700"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[Annotator "Rabinovich,Al"]
[PlyCount "98"]
[EventDate "2001.01.13"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 081"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.03.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 (5. Nbd2 Bb4 6. Qc2 O-O 7. Bg2 d5
8. O-O c5 9. dxc5 Bxc5 10. a3 Nbd7 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12. Nb3 Be7 13. Nbd4 Rc8 14.
Qd1 Nc5 $11 {0-1 Nikolic,P-Palac,M/Bled SLO 2000/The Week in Chess 311 (41)}) (
5. Qa4 Bb7 6. Bg2 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. Nc3 O-O 9. O-O Be7 10. Rd1 Qc8 11. Bf4 Na6
12. Rac1 Nc5 13. Qc2 Nce4 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15. Qd2 Qa6 $11 {0-1 Skembris,S-Sax,G/
Bolzano ITA 2000/The Week in Chess 297 (43)}) 5... Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 {Black
chooces one of the most popular lines nowdays.} 7. Bg2 c6 8. O-O (8. Bc3 d5 9.
Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Nf6 13. e4 b5 14. Re1 dxe4 15. Qc2
Rc8 16. Rad1 Nd5 $1 {1/2-1/2 Karpov,A-Timman,J/Hoogeveen 1999/CBM 74 no vc (29)
This move seems to solve most of black's problems.Lately black gets good
positions in this line,that explains why white tried to look for advantage in
more peaceful line.}) 8... d5 9. Qc2 {White's results are not too shining in
this line. Black usually equalizes easily and even gets good chances for
better game.} Nbd7 10. Rd1 O-O 11. Bf4 Rc8 12. Nc3 Nh5 {Adams in the first
round in the same tournament played against Kramnik the same variation,but
here instead of the move in the game,he played c5.He got worse position with
isolated d-pawn and slowly Kramnik used this fact and won.Adams expirements
new idea,which after his next move looks like black is ready for draw.Van Wely
decides to play by entering really harmless line for black.} 13. Bc1 Nhf6 14.
e4 dxc4 15. Nd2 b5 (15... cxb3 16. axb3 Nb8 $44 {It will be not easy for black
to consolidate his pieces.}) 16. bxc4 bxc4 {[%cal Gd7b6]} 17. Qa4 Bb5 18. Qc2 {
White realizes that he got nothing,but a pawn less and ready for draw,but
black already with extra pawn has better position.} (18. Qxa7 $2 Ra8 19. Qb7
Qa5 {[%cal Gf8b8]} 20. Nxb5 cxb5 21. e5 Rfb8 22. Qf3 Nd5 $17) 18... Qa5 19. Nf3
(19. Bf1 Nb6 $15 {[%cal Gf8d8,Gd8d4]}) 19... h6 {Very nice move.Black prepares
removing the Q to kingside and takes care of g5 square in case white would
like to exchange queens .} (19... Bb4 20. Bb2 Bxc3 21. Bxc3 Ba4 22. Qd2 Qh5 23.
Re1 Rfd8 $15 {[%cal Gc6c5]} 24. Qg5 {Giving white some chances in the ending
to hold.}) 20. Bd2 Bb4 {[%cal Gb4c3,Gb5a4,Ga5h5]} 21. Rab1 {Forcing black to
do what he already wanted.} (21. Rac1 $5 Bxc3 $6 22. Bxc3 {And now black
doesn't have this opportunity to play Ba4 since the Q on c2 is protected.})
21... Bxc3 22. Bxc3 Ba4 23. Qd2 Qh5 24. Re1 Rfd8 {Now we clearly see that
white has no compensation for the pawn.Sooner or later black will play c5
after what white "pride",the center,will fall and lack of pawn would be felt.}
25. h3 {Preparing wrong plan.It was better to concentrate on black's c5.} (25.
Rb7 $6 Nc5 $17) (25. Ba5 Nb6 (25... Re8 26. Rb7 c5 27. Rxa7 Bc6 $15) 26. Ne5 c5
27. Bf3 Qg5 28. Qxg5 hxg5 29. Bxb6 axb6 30. Nxc4 {With good hopes for draw.})
25... c5 $17 26. g4 $6 Qg6 {[%cal Gh6h5]} 27. Qe2 {The last chance was to play
Nh4 and after Qg5 to exchange queens and look for sarviving in the ending. Now
black openes the center and the kingside.} cxd4 28. Nxd4 (28. Bxd4 Bc6 {
[%cal Gc6e4]} 29. Nd2 e5 30. Bxa7 c3 $19) 28... h5 $1 29. e5 (29. gxh5 Nxh5 {
[%cal Gh5f4,Gd7c5,Gc5d3]}) 29... hxg4 30. Kh2 (30. Nxe6 fxe6 $4 (30... gxh3 $6
31. Nf4 Qc2 32. exf6 hxg2 33. Qxc2 Bxc2 34. Rbc1 Ba4 35. fxg7 Bc6 36. Re7 {
White won't loose it.}) (30... Nd5 $3 31. Bxd5 gxh3+ 32. Kh2 fxe6 33. Rg1 Qf7
34. Be4 Nc5 $19) 31. exf6 gxh3 32. Qxe6+ $18 {[%cal Ge6g8,Ge6h3]}) 30... gxh3
31. Bf3 (31. Bxh3 Nd5 $19 {[%cal Gd5f4]}) 31... Qd3 $1 {Black transfers the
game to winning ending.} 32. Rbc1 (32. Nxe6 Qxc3 (32... fxe6 33. exf6 Qxe2 34.
Rxe2 Nxf6 35. Rxe6 Rd3 36. Re3 {Black is still winning,but two white bishops
can make some trouble.}) 33. Nxd8 Nxe5 34. Qxe5 Qxf3 $19 {[%cal Gf3g2,Gc8d8]})
32... Qxe2 33. Rxe2 Nh7 {[%cal Gh7f8,Gf8g6,Gg6e5,Gg6f4,Gf4d3]} (33... Nd5 34.
Bxd5 exd5 35. e6 $132 {Black's pawns are blockaded,what gives white some
counterplay.}) 34. Bh1 {[%cal Gf2f4]} Nb6 {[%cal Gb6d5]} 35. f4 Nd5 36. Bxd5
Rxd5 37. Rb1 Nf8 38. Kxh3 Ng6 39. Kg4 Rcd8 {Good technic by black.Now when all
the pieces are in the game,white is helpless.} 40. Re4 Ne7 41. Kf3 (41. Rb7 Nf5
42. Nxf5 $6 exf5+ 43. Kxf5 Bc2 $19) 41... Nc6 {Now black is winning by force.
Nice calculation.} 42. Nxc6 (42. Ne2 {[%csl Rb1,Re4]} Bc2) 42... Bxc6 43. Kf2 (
43. Ke2 {Was the only chance to hold.} Rd2+ 44. Bxd2 Bxe4 45. Rc1 Bd3+ 46. Ke3
Rd5 $19) 43... Rd2+ 44. Bxd2 Bxe4 45. Rb2 Rd3 {[%cal Gc4c3]} 46. Rc2 Rf3+ 47.
Ke2 Rxf4 48. Rxc4 $2 {Blunder in already lost position.} Bf3+ 49. Kd3 Be2+ 0-1

[Event "Mainz CC Fischer Random"]
[Site "Mainz"]
[Date "2001.06.26"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Leko, Peter"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2730"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Variant "chess 960"]
[SetUp "1"]
[FEN "rkqnbrnb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RKQNBRNB w FAfa - 0 1"]
[PlyCount "102"]
[EventDate "2001.06.26"]
[EventType "match"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2002"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2001.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Chess 960-Position 811} 1. c4 g6 2. d3 f5 3. Bc3 e5 4. f4 d6 5. fxe5 dxe5 6.
g4 Bc6 7. Bxc6 Nxc6 8. gxf5 gxf5 9. Ne3 Nge7 10. Qe1 Qe6 11. Nc2 O-O-O 12.
O-O-O Ng6 13. b3 Bf6 14. e3 f4 15. exf4 Nxf4 16. Qe4 Bg5 17. Kb1 Qg6 18. Qxg6
hxg6 19. d4 exd4 20. Nxd4 Nxd4 21. Rxd4 Nd5 22. Rxf8 Nxc3+ 23. Kc2 Rxf8 24. Rg4
Bf6 25. a3 Be5 26. Rxg6 Ne4 27. h4 Rf2+ 28. Kd3 Nc5+ 29. Ke3 Ra2 30. Nf3 Ba1
31. h5 Rxa3 32. h6 Rxb3+ 33. Kf4 Rb6 34. Rg1 Rf6+ 35. Ke3 Re6+ 36. Kf4 Rf6+ 37.
Ke3 Bb2 38. Rh1 a5 39. h7 Rf8 40. Rh2 Bf6 41. Rh6 Nd7 42. Kd2 Kd8 43. Kc2 Ke7
44. Nh4 Kf7 45. Nf5 Ne5 46. c5 a4 47. Ne3 a3 48. Kb3 Ra8 49. Ka2 Nd3 50. Rh1
Nb4+ 51. Kb3 a2 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 13th"]
[Site "Leon"]
[Date "2001.11.10"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2706"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2001.11.06"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 086"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.02.05"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Spain"]
[BlackTeam "England"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ESP"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ENG"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. h3 O-O 8.
c3 Re8 9. Bc2 b6 10. d4 Bb7 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bh4 Ne4 13. Bxe7 Rxe7 14. Nbd2 Nxd2
{#} 15. Qxd2 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nd7 17. Kh2 Re6 18. Rg1 Qf6 19. Rg3 Kh8 20. Rag1 Rg8
21. f4 Re7 22. Qd3 Nf8 23. Qf3 c5 24. d5 b5 25. R1g2 Re1 26. Rg1 Re7 27. a3 c4
28. Qg4 Nd7 29. a4 a6 30. a5 Nc5 31. Re3 Nb3 32. Rge1 Rxe3 33. fxe3 Nc5 34. h4
Re8 35. Rg1 Nd3 36. Bxd3 cxd3 37. Rg3 b4 38. cxb4 Qxb2+ 39. Rg2 Qc3 40. Qd7 Rg8
41. Qg4 Qe1 42. f5 d2 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2002.01.13"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Grischuk, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2002.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Re8 10. d4 Bb7 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a3 {This is a more positional move
than the old favourite 12.a4. It is also less played. The games with 12.a4
outnumbers the 12.a3 ones by more than 6 to 1. Both moves score well for White:
12.a4 gives White 59%, 12.a3 yields 58% (Mega 2002).} g6 13. Ba2 {This is one
of the main ideas behind 12.a3, the B stays on the b3- f7-diagonal.} Bg7 14. b4
a5 15. d5 Ne7 16. Bb2 (16. Nb3 axb4 17. axb4 Rb8 (17... Nxe4 $5) 18. Na5 Ba8
19. Bg5 h6 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Qd2 $14 {[%cal Yc3c4] 1-0 Kveinys,A-Ibragimov,I/
Warsaw 1991/EXT 97 (42)}) (16. bxa5 {is another interesting approach} Rxa5 (
16... c6) 17. c4 c6 (17... bxc4) 18. dxc6 Bxc6 19. Bb2 Qb8 20. c5 $36 {1-0
Borchers,H-May,F/GER 1999/EXT 2002 (39)}) 16... Nh5 17. Nb3 axb4 18. axb4 $146
{[%mdl 8] Adams heeds the classical advise and exchanges towards the centre.
The c7-P will be weak anyway.} (18. cxb4 Bc8 19. Na5 Nf4 20. Bc1 Bh6 21. Rb1
Kh8 22. Rb3 f5 23. Bb1 Rf8 24. Kh2 Ng8 25. Nc6 Qe8 26. Bb2 Bg7 27. Bc1 Bh6 {
1/2-1/2 Kuporosov,V-Ibragimov,I/Gorky 1989/CBM 16 (29)}) 18... Bc8 19. Na5 Nf4
20. c4 $1 g5 $5 {Black starts actions on the K-side and hopes to get some
concrete threats before White invades on the other side of the board.} (20...
bxc4 21. Bxc4 {[%cal Yc4b5,Ya5c6] White has a nice initiative on the Q-side.})
(20... Bd7 $5) 21. cxb5 g4 22. Nh2 $1 {[%mdl 256]} (22. hxg4 Bxg4 23. Nc6 Nxc6
24. bxc6 Qf6 {gives Black play for the P.}) 22... gxh3 23. g3 Neg6 $6 {This
turns out to be too optimistic.} (23... Ng2 $142 24. Re2 f5 25. Nc6 Qd7 26. Bc4
Rxa1 27. Qxa1 fxe4 (27... f4 28. Bxe5 $1) 28. Qa7 (28. Rxe4 Qf5) 28... e3 29.
fxe3 Ng6 $13) 24. Bb1 $1 (24. gxf4 $2 exf4 25. Bxg7 Qg5+ 26. Kf1 Qg2+ 27. Ke2
Kxg7 $40 {[%csl Re4,Rh2]}) 24... Qg5 25. Bc1 $1 (25. Kh1 Ng2 $13) 25... Bd7 $2
{This just loses the N on f4.} (25... Nf8 26. Kh1 Qg6 {and the N can slip away
from f4 - White is better though since he can restart his Q-side play.}) 26.
Kh1 f5 27. Rg1 Qf6 28. exf5 Bxf5 29. Bxf5 Qxf5 30. gxf4 exf4 $18 {Black has no
real compensation for the piece. It just takes a few moves for White to get
organized.} 31. Ra3 Qe4+ 32. Qf3 Qxb4 33. Nc6 Qxb5 34. Rxa8 Rxa8 35. Qe4 Qc5
36. Ng4 Rf8 37. Bd2 Kh8 38. Bb4 Qb5 39. Kh2 f3 40. Bd2 Qe2 41. Be3 Rf4 42. Qb1
Rf7 43. Nd8 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2002.01.15"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2703"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2002.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "18"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 087"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. h3
Bb7 9. d3 d6 10. a3 Na5 11. Ba2 c5 12. Nc3 Nc6 13. Ne2 (13. Bg5 Qd7 (13... h6
14. Bxf6 Bxf6 15. Bd5 Qd7 16. Nh2 Bd8 17. Ng4 Kh8 18. Ne3 Bg5 $11 {1/2-1/2
Polgar,J-Adams,M/Frankfurt 1999/CBM 72 (44)}) 14. Nh2 Ne8 15. Bd2 Nc7 16. Nf1
Kh8 17. Ng3 Nd4 $15 {1-0 Kasparov,G-Adams,M/Linares 1999}) 13... Bc8 (13... d5
14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Ng3 Bf6 16. Ne4 Be7 17. Bg5 Nf6 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Ng3 Kh8 20.
Nh4 Nd4 21. c3 Ne6 22. d4 cxd4 23. cxd4 Nxd4 24. Qh5 Rg8 {0-1 Westerinen,
H-Kraidman,Y/Netanya 1971/ (51)}) 14. Ng3 Be6 15. Nf5 (15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. b3 Nd7
$11) 15... Bxf5 $5 {[%mdl 32] Certainly a courageous strategic decision. Adams
is very strong in this field and can afford to play a bit originally.} 16. exf5
Qd7 17. g4 h6 18. c3 (18. Bd2 Bd8 19. b4 Bc7 $13) 18... Rfe8 19. b4 (19. d4 e4
20. Nh2 d5 $15) 19... cxb4 20. cxb4 (20. axb4 a5 (20... Bd8 21. d4 e4 22. Nd2
d5 23. Nb3 Bc7 24. Kg2 (24. Nc5 $2 Qd6 $19) 24... Qd6 25. Rh1 a5 $15) 21. bxa5
Rxa5 22. Qb3 Bd8 $11) 20... Bd8 21. Bb2 (21. Be3 $5 d5 $15) 21... a5 $5 (21...
Bb6 22. Rc1 Rac8 23. Bb3 $13) 22. bxa5 (22. d4 e4 23. d5 Nxb4 24. axb4 exf3 25.
Qxf3 axb4 $17) 22... Bxa5 23. Re2 Bb6 24. Qb3 $2 {Gelfand suddenly panics even
though a bishop pair was still giving him a great chance to keep the chances
balanced.} (24. d4 $5 Nxd4 (24... e4 25. d5 exf3 26. Rxe8+ Qxe8 27. dxc6 Ne4
28. Qxf3 $11) 25. Nxd4 exd4 26. Rxe8+ Rxe8 27. Bxd4 Bxd4 28. Qxd4 d5 29. Qd3
$11) 24... Qb7 $1 25. Qd1 (25. Ree1 b4 26. g5 $132) 25... Ra4 $6 (25... Nb4 $1
26. Rd2 (26. axb4 Qxf3 27. Qf1 Qxd3 $19) 26... Nxa2 27. Rxa2 Nd5 $17) 26. Rc2
Ne7 (26... Nd4 27. Nxd4 Bxd4 28. Bxd4 exd4 29. Bb3 Ra7 30. a4 Nd7 $15) 27. Nh2
$2 {The last serious mistake as black pieces will now sneak deeply into
white's territory.} (27. d4 $1 e4 28. Ne1 $11) 27... Ned5 28. Qf3 Rf4 29. Qg2
e4 $1 30. Re1 (30. dxe4 Nxe4 31. Nf3 Nxf2 32. Rxf2 (32. Nd4 Rxd4 33. Bxd4 Bxd4
34. Rxf2 Bxa1 $1 35. Bxd5 Re1+ 36. Rf1 Bd4+ 37. Kh2 Rxf1 38. Bxb7 Be5+ $19)
32... Re2 33. Bd4 Bxd4 34. Nxd4 Rfxf2 35. Qxd5 Rg2+ 36. Kf1 Ref2+ 37. Ke1 Rxa2
$19) (30. Bxf6 Nxf6 31. Re1 (31. Qg3 exd3 32. Qxd3 Rd4 33. Qf1 Qe4 $17) 31...
Qa8 $1 32. Rce2 Qxa3 33. dxe4 Nxe4 $19) 30... Rxf2 $1 31. Rxf2 Nf4 32. Qg3
Bxf2+ 33. Kxf2 Nxd3+ 34. Kf1 Nxb2 35. h4 Qd7 36. Kg2 Nd3 37. Rf1 e3 38. g5 hxg5
39. hxg5 Nh5 0-1

[Event "Linares 19th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2002.02.24"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Ponomariov, Ruslan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C92"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[Annotator "Wedberg,T"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2002.02.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3
O-O 9. h3 Re8 10. d4 Bb7 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. d5 {The positional approach.} ({
The sharper} 12. a4 h6 13. Bc2 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1 c5 16. d5 Nd7 17. Ra3
{and now either} c4 {(positional) or} (17... f5 {(tactical) is heavily
analysed. No clear verdict has been reached. The results are mixed with a
slight plus for White.})) 12... Nb8 13. Nf1 Nbd7 14. N3h2 Nc5 15. Bc2 c6 16. b4
Ncd7 17. dxc6 Bxc6 18. Bg5 {A deviation from 18.Ng4 played by Adams against
Beliavsky in Leon last year. Exchanging the black-squared B for a N is logical
given the weakness of d5.} (18. Ng4 Nxg4 19. hxg4 Nb6 20. Qd3 (20. Ne3 d5 21.
exd5 Nxd5 22. Nxd5 Qxd5 23. Qxd5 Bxd5 $13 {1/2-1/2 Kasparov,G-Ivanchuk,V/
Linares 1998/CBM 64/[ChessBase] (54)}) 20... g6 21. Rd1 Qc7 22. Qf3 Bd7 23. Bb3
Be6 24. Bg5 a5 25. Ne3 Bxb3 26. axb3 axb4 27. cxb4 Rxa1 28. Rxa1 d5 $1 $132 {
0-1 Adams,M-Beliavsky,A/Leon 2001/CBM 86/[Wedberg] (60)}) 18... h6 (18... Qc8
19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. hxg4 Bd7 22. Ne3 Ra7 (22... Qxc3 23. Nd5 Qc6 24.
Bb3 Qb7 25. g5 Be6 26. Re3 $40 {1-0 Almasi,Z-Bacrot,E/Szeged 2000/CBM 78 (34)})
23. Bb3 Qxc3 24. Nd5 Qc8 25. Nb6 Qd8 26. Nxd7 Qxd7 27. Bd5 $44 {1/2-1/2 Hracek,
Z-Beliavsky,A/Germany 2000/CBM 74 ext (37)}) (18... Qc7 19. Bxf6 Nxf6 20. Ng4
Nxg4 21. hxg4 Qb7 22. Qd3 Rac8 23. Bb3 Bd7 24. Ne3 Be6 25. Nd5 $14 {1-0
Delchev,A-Levar,N/Belisce 1999/EXT 2000 (36)}) 19. Bxf6 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (19.
Bh4 Qc7 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21. Ng4 Nxg4 22. hxg4 Be7 23. Bb3 Bg5 24. Qf3 Rf8 25.
Rad1 Bd7 26. Rd3 Be6 27. Red1 Rfd8 28. Ne3 Bxe3 29. Rxe3 {Black´s play in this
game is a model for the handling of this line. 1/2-1/2 Almasi,Z-Beliavsky,A/
AUT 2001/EXT 2002 (29)}) 19... Nxf6 20. Ng4 Nxg4 21. Qxg4 {[%cal Yc2b3,Yf1e3,
Ye3d5,Yb3d5,Ya1d1,Yd1d5][%mdl 2048] For good reasons Adams spurns the more or
less standard recapture with the h-P. The main idea remains the same though -
to capitalize on the d5-square.} (21. hxg4 d5 $1 $13) 21... d5 $6 {Ponomariov
tries to break free immediately. But freedom comes with a cost in this case,
because White is better mobilized.} (21... Bd7 22. Qf3 Rc8 {[%csl Rc3][%cal
Yd8c7,Yd7e6,Yf8e7,Ye7g5] would have been more prudent. There are weaknesses on
both sides. See the comment to move 19.}) 22. exd5 (22. Rad1 $6 d4 $132) 22...
Qxd5 23. Bb3 {[%cal Yf1e3,Ya1d1,Ye3f5,Yb3f7,Yd1d7] White´s B is the dominant
minor piece and it´s sway can be enhanced by all the other pieces. It´s
already tricky for Black.} Qd8 (23... Qd3 24. Re3 $36) (23... Qd7 24. Qh5 $36)
24. Qh5 $1 $16 Ra7 (24... Qf6 25. Ne3 {[%cal Ye3g4] is difficult for Black.} g6
26. Ng4 Qg7 27. Qh4 g5 28. Qh5 Ra7 29. Rad1 $16) (24... Qc7 25. Ne3 Rad8 26.
Ng4 Bd5 (26... Bd6 $2 27. Qg6 $18) 27. Re3 $40 {[%cal Ye3g3,Ya1e1]}) 25. Rxe5 (
25. Ne3 Qg5 {relieves some pressure.}) 25... Rxe5 26. Qxe5 Qg5 27. Qxg5 hxg5 {
White is a P up, but Black has some compensation in the pair of B:s. White´s
plus is clear though. In percentage terms I would give White 75% here.} 28. Ne3
g6 (28... a5 29. bxa5 Rxa5 30. Rd1 $14) 29. Rd1 Rc7 30. Kf1 Kg7 31. Ke2 Be7 32.
Bd5 $1 {White centralizes effectively.} Bd7 33. Rd3 Bf6 (33... f5) 34. c4 bxc4
35. Bxc4 Bc8 36. a3 Bb2 37. Kd2 f5 38. Kc2 Bxa3 (38... Bf6 39. Kb3 $16 {
[%cal Ye3d5]}) 39. Rxa3 f4 40. Kb3 fxe3 41. fxe3 Re7 42. Ka4 $18 {The weak a-P
will fall and then the b-P wins.} Re5 43. Rd3 Bf5 44. Rd2 Rxe3 45. Bxa6 Be4 46.
Rf2 Kh6 47. Bf1 g4 48. hxg4 Re1 49. Be2 Ra1+ 50. Kb3 Rb1+ 51. Kc3 Rc1+ 52. Kd4
Bb7 53. Bf3 Ba6 54. Rb2 Bb5 55. Be2 Bc6 56. Bf3 Bb5 57. Be2 Bc6 58. Ba6 Rg1 59.
b5 Bxg2 60. b6 Kg5 61. Bc8 Kf4 62. Kc5 Be4 63. Rb4 Ke5 64. b7 Rc1+ 65. Kb5 Bxb7
66. Bxb7 Kf6 67. Rc4 Rb1+ 68. Kc6 Kg5 69. Bc8 Rd1 70. Bd7 Kh4 71. Kc7 Rd2 72.
Kd8 Re2 73. Rc6 g5 74. Bf5 Re3 75. Re6 Rg3 76. Rh6# 1-0

[Event "Linares 19th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2002.03.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2002.02.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. c3 $5 {
This variation has become extremly popular lately.} c5 8. Be3 {Very logical
move.White has tried 8.Bg5 and 8.Bb5,but did'nt reach any opening advantage} (
8. Bg5 Be7 9. Bxf6 (9. Bb5+ Bd7 10. Qa4 Bxb5 11. Qxb5+ Qd7 12. Qxd7+ Nxd7 13.
Bxe7 Kxe7) 9... gxf6 (9... Bxf6 10. Bb5+ Bd7 11. Qa4 cxd4 12. Rd1 Bxb5 13.
Qxb5+ Qd7 14. Qxd7+ Kxd7 15. Nxd4 Ke7) 10. Qa4+ (10. Qb3 Qc7 11. d5 Bd7 12. Bc4
Qf4 13. O-O Rg8) 10... Bd7 11. Bb5 a6 12. Bxd7+ Qxd7 13. Qxd7+ Kxd7 14. O-O-O
cxd4 15. Nxd4 Kc7) (8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Bxd7+ Qxd7 10. Be3 cxd4 11. Bxd4 Be7 12. O-O
O-O 13. Qe2 Qc7 14. Rad1 Rfd8) 8... Qc7 (8... cxd4) (8... cxd4 9. Bxd4 (9. Qxd4
) 9... Be7 10. Ne5 O-O 11. Bd3 Qc7 12. O-O Rd8 13. Qf3 $14) 9. Ne5 $5 a6 (9...
cxd4 10. Bxd4 Bd6 11. Bb5+ Ke7 12. Nc4) (9... Bd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. d5) (9...
Bd6 10. Bb5+ Ke7 (10... Nd7 11. Nxd7 Bxd7 12. Bxd7+ Qxd7 13. dxc5) 11. Nc4 Bd7
(11... Bf4 12. dxc5 Rd8 (12... Bxe3 13. Qd6+ Qxd6 14. cxd6+ Kd8 15. fxe3) 13.
Qf3 Bxe3 14. Qxe3 Bd7 15. Bxd7 Nxd7 16. b4) 12. Bxd7 Nxd7 13. Nxd6 Qxd6 14.
dxc5 Qxd1+ (14... Nxc5 15. Qxd6+ Kxd6 16. O-O-O+ Kc6 17. Bxc5 Kxc5 18. Rd7) 15.
Rxd1 (15. Rxd1 Rhc8 16. Ke2 Nxc5 17. Rd4 Rc7 18. Rhd1 f6 19. c4 Rac8 20. b3 Rd7
)) 10. Qa4+ Nd7 (10... Bd7 11. Nxd7 Nxd7 (11... Qxd7 12. Qxd7+ Nxd7 13. O-O-O)
12. O-O-O) 11. O-O-O cxd4 (11... Bd6 12. Bb5 (12. Nc4 Bf4 13. g3 Bxe3+ 14. Nxe3
$14 {Dvoirys,S-Zakharevich,I/Novgorod (open) 1997(Inf 70/275)} (14. Nxe3 O-O
15. d5 b5 $6 16. d6 $1 $14 {Dvoirys,S-Zakharevich,I/Novgorod 1997/CBM 60}))
12... axb5 13. Qxa8 cxd4 14. Nxd7 dxe3 15. Rxd6 Qxd6 16. Qxc8+ Ke7 17. Qxb7
Qd2+ 18. Kb1 Qd3+ 19. Ka1 Qxd7 20. Qxd7+ Kxd7 21. Rd1+ $16 {Yakovich,Y-Yagupov,
I/St Petersburg 1998/EXT 99}) (11... Rb8 $6 $146 {[%cal Yb7b5]} 12. dxc5 Qxe5
13. Bf4 Qxc5 14. Bxb8 b5 15. Qa5 (15. Qf4)) 12. Nxd7 $5 {A new move. However
it doesn't pose black special problem, so Anand's loss is not a result of an
opening!} (12. Bxd4 Bd6 13. Nxd7 Bxd7 14. Qb3 (14. Qc4 $1 $14) 14... O-O 15.
Bb6 Qc6 16. Kb1 Bc7 17. Be3 Qa4 18. Qxa4 {1/2-1/2 Dvoirys,S-Zakharevich,I/St
Petersburg 1998/CBM 67 ext (18)}) 12... Qxd7 $1 (12... Bxd7 13. Qxd4 $14 {
[%csl Rf8]}) 13. Qc2 Bc5 14. Bxd4 Bxd4 15. Rxd4 Qc7 16. Bd3 Bd7 17. g3 (17.
Bxh7 $5 O-O-O (17... g6 $2 18. Bxg6 $18) 18. Be4 Rxh2 19. Rhd1 Rhh8 20. Qd3 $14
) 17... h6 18. Rd1 O-O-O (18... O-O $4 19. Rxd7 Qxd7 20. Bh7+ $18 {[%csl Rd7]})
19. Rc4 Bc6 20. Be4 $1 Rxd1+ 21. Qxd1 Rd8 22. Qf3 Rd6 23. h4 $1 {[%cal Gh4h5]}
Kb8 24. Bxc6 Rxc6 25. Rxc6 bxc6 26. h5 $14 {White has slightly better chances
in the endgame due to better pawn structure, but it's hard to believe he is
going to win it in 15 moves!} Kb7 27. Kc2 f5 $6 28. Qd3 Qf7 29. Qe2 f4 (29...
Qf6 30. f4 $1 g6 31. hxg6 Qxg6 32. Qe3 $14 {[%cal Ga2a5]}) 30. g4 g6 31. Qe5 $1
$16 g5 $2 {Now the pawn h6 disappears from the board.} (31... gxh5 32. gxh5 $16
) 32. Qh8 $1 {[%csl Rh6]} e5 33. Qxh6 (33. Qxe5 $5 Qxa2 34. Qg7+ Kc8 35. Qxh6
Qa4+ 36. Kd2 Qb5 37. Qe6+ Kb7 38. b3 $18) 33... e4 (33... Qe7 34. Qg6 Qc5 35.
Qg7+ Kb8 $1 $16) 34. Qg6 $1 {Winning a tempo.} Qc4 35. Qg7+ Kc8 36. Qh8+ Kb7
37. Qg7+ Kc8 38. Qf8+ Kc7 39. Qe7+ Kc8 40. Qe8+ (40. Qxg5 $2 Qd3+ 41. Kb3 e3
42. fxe3 fxe3 $132) 40... Kc7 41. Qe7+ Kc8 42. h6 c5 (42... Qd3+ 43. Kb3 Qb5+
44. Qb4 Qd5+ 45. Ka3 $18) 43. Qe8+ $1 {[%csl Gb5]} Kc7 44. h7 1-0

[Event "Linares 19th"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2002.03.06"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[Annotator "Oratovsky,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2002.02.22"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 088"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.03.21"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 {[%mdl 134]} c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 {Favorite line of
Michael Adams,expert of Ruy Lopez with both colors.Is it really Sicilian
defense?!} ({I prefere this line} 5. Re1 a6 ({or} 5... Nd4) 6. Bxc6 Nxc6 7. d4
cxd4 8. Nxd4 Qc7 9. Nc3 Bd6 10. Nd5) 5... a6 6. Ba4 b5 (6... d5 7. exd5 exd5 8.
d4 c4 9. Re1 h6 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. b3 cxb3 12. axb3 Be6 13. Ne5 Qb6 14. Nd2 g6
15. Ba3 Bg7 16. Qe2 Qb7 17. Nxf7 {1-0 Adams,M-Hennigan,M/Birmingham 2001/CBM
84 ext (17)}) 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. Qe2 Ng6 (8... d5 9. e5 d4 10. Be4 Ng6 11. cxd4 cxd4
12. d3 Be7 13. Nbd2 Qd7 (13... Qc7 14. Nb3 O-O 15. Bd2 Rfc8 16. Rac1 Qb6 17. h4
$36 {1-0 Smirin,I-Krasenkow,M/Dos Hermanas ESP 2001/The Week in Chess 337 (72)}
) 14. Nb3 Rd8 15. Bd2 Nb4 16. Nfxd4 Nc6 17. Nf3 Nb4 18. Bxb7 Qxb7 19. d4 O-O
20. Rfc1 Qd5 21. Nc5 Nc6 22. Be3 $16 {1-0 Smirin,I-Finegold,B/Philadelphia USA
2001/The Week in Chess 351 (53)}) 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Nh4 (10... Rc8 11. Rd1
Be7 12. a4 Nb4 13. Bb3 bxa4 14. Bxa4 O-O 15. Nc3 d5 16. e5 Qb6 17. Bg5 Bxg5 18.
Nxg5 h6 19. Nf3 Rc7 20. Bc2 Bc6 21. Bb1 Rb8 22. h4 Bb5 23. Qe3 $14 {1/2-1/2
Potkin,V-Sveshnikov,E/Elista RUS 2001/The Week in Chess 339 (57)}) 11. Nbd2 (
11. Rd1 Rc8 12. Nc3 $1 {Rublevsky} Be7 13. Nxh4 Bxh4 14. e5 $36) 11... Rc8 12.
Bb1 (12. d5 Na5 (12... Ne5 13. Nd4 g5 $6 14. a4 b4 15. N2b3 g4 16. Rd1 $16 {
1-0 Tkachiev,V-San Segundo Carrillo,P/Ponferrada 1997/CBM 60 ext (27)}) 13. Bd3
Ng6 14. g3 Be7 15. dxe6 dxe6 16. a4 bxa4 17. Bxa6 $14 {1-0 Tkachiev,V-Ansell,S/
London 1994/EXT 2000 (29)}) 12... Bd6 13. a4 bxa4 (13... b4 14. Bd3 a5 15. b3 {
[%csl Gb5,Gc4][%cal Gc1b2,Gd4d5]}) 14. Rxa4 Nxf3+ 15. Nxf3 Nb4 ({too dangerose
for black is} 15... O-O 16. e5 Be7 17. d5 $1 {[%csl Ga4][%cal Ga4h4,Gf4g4]}
exd5 18. Qd3 g6 19. Bh6 Re8 20. Qxd5 {[%csl Rg8][%cal Rd5f7,Gb1a2] with
decisive attack}) 16. Bd2 a5 {[%cal Gb7a6]} 17. Rd1 O-O 18. Bc3 Qb6 19. Ra1 Bf4
$6 {after this move white initiative becomes very dangerous.Best chanse was} (
19... f6 {but anyway after} 20. e5 $1 {white has an initiative.For example:}
fxe5 (20... Bxf3 21. Qxf3 fxe5 22. Qh5 h6 (22... g6 23. Bxg6 hxg6 24. Qxg6+ Kh8
25. Bxb4 $18 {[%cal Gd1d3,Gd3h3]}) 23. Qg6 $16 {[%csl Rg8][%cal Gd4e5,Gg6h7]})
21. dxe5 $1 (21. Ng5 $5 Be7 $8 22. Bxh7+ (22. Nxh7 Rf4 $132 {[%csl Rh7][%cal
Gb6c6]}) 22... Kh8 23. h4 {[%cal Ge2h5]} Bxg5 24. hxg5 Kxh7 25. Qh5+ Kg8 26. g6
Rf5 27. Qh7+ Kf8 28. Qh8+ Ke7 29. Qxg7+ Kd8 $13 {with very complicated position
}) 21... Bxf3 22. gxf3 Bc5 23. Rxd7 Rcd8 24. Rxd8 Qxd8 25. Be4 $14) 20. Ne5 {
[%csl Ra5][%cal Ge5c4]} Qc7 21. Qg4 Bxe5 22. dxe5 $16 Bc6 23. h4 $1 {move by
move whites pressure becomes stronger and stronger.Now it's very difficult to
give good advice to black} Kh8 24. Ra3 $1 Rg8 25. h5 h6 26. Qf4 Rcf8 27. Bd4
$18 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gd4c5,Gc5d6,Ga3g3]} Bb5 28. Rc3 Nc6 29. Bc5 Be2 {attempt
to sacriface exchange,but after} 30. Rd2 Bxh5 31. Rh3 $1 {black resigns
because of} (31. Rh3 Bg6 32. Rxh6+ gxh6 33. Qxh6+ Bh7 34. Qf6+ Rg7 35. Bxf8 $18
) 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 18th"]
[Site "Kallithea"]
[Date "2002.09.24"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Bareev, Evgeny"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C07"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2726"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2002.09.22"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 092"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2003.02.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2003.02.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Sarajevo Bosna"]
[BlackTeam "Norilsk Nikel"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "BIH"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. dxc5 Bxc5 6. Ngf3 Nf6 7. Bc4 Qc6 8.
Qe2 Nbd7 9. Nb3 a6 10. a4 Bd6 11. O-O Qc7 12. a5 O-O 13. Re1 e5 14. Nbd2 h6 15.
b3 Re8 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Qxe4 Nc5 18. Qh4 Be6 19. Nd2 Rad8 20. h3 Bf5 21. Ra2
Bg6 22. Nf1 Qc6 23. Ne3 Be7 24. Qg3 Ne4 25. Qf3 Bc5 26. Ra4 Bd4 27. Nd1 Rd6 28.
Be3 Bxe3 29. Qxe3 Nd2 30. Qc3 Be4 31. Ne3 Red8 32. Ng4 Bxg2 33. Nxe5 Nf3+ 34.
Qxf3 Bxf3 35. Bxf7+ Kh7 36. Nxc6 Rxc6 37. Rf4 Bd1 38. Re7 b6 39. axb6 Rxb6 40.
Rc7 Rd2 41. c3 a5 42. h4 h5 43. Rc5 Rd3 44. Bd5 Kh6 45. Rf8 Rg6+ 46. Kf1 Rg4
47. Rh8+ Kg6 48. Rc6+ Kf5 49. Rxh5+ 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-35"]
[Site "Bled"]
[Date "2002.11.05"]
[Round "10.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Sasikiran, Krishnan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2670"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2002.10.26"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "SLO"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2003"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2002.11.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "India"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "IND"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Qf3 Nbd7 8.
Be2 Qc7 9. g4 Ne5 10. Qg2 d5 11. g5 Nxe4 12. Nxe4 dxe4 13. O-O-O Nc4 14. Qxe4
Nxe3 15. fxe3 Be7 16. h4 Bd7 17. Rhf1 Rc8 18. Bd3 g6 19. h5 Bc6 20. Nxc6 Qxc6
21. Qe5 Rg8 22. Kb1 Qc7 23. Qe4 Bxg5 24. a3 Rd8 25. Rd2 Rd5 26. Rdf2 Rd7 27.
Rg2 Qc5 28. Rg3 Kd8 29. b4 Qd5 30. Qxd5 Rxd5 31. Rxf7 Bh4 32. Rg4 Rxh5 33. Rxb7
Ke8 34. Rc4 Bd8 35. Rc8 Rd5 36. Rxh7 Rd7 37. Rh6 Kf7 38. Bxa6 Bg5 39. Rh7+ Rg7
40. Rxg7+ Kxg7 41. Bc4 Kf6 42. Rf8+ Ke5 43. Rg8 Kf6 44. Bd3 Bxe3 45. Rxg6+ Ke5
46. Rg4 Rd4 47. Rxd4 Kxd4 48. Kb2 e5 49. Kb3 Bd2 50. a4 e4 51. Bf1 Kd5 52. a5
Be1 53. c4+ Kc6 54. Bg2 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.17"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Bareev, Evgeny"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C07"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2714"]
[Annotator "Psakhis,L"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 cxd4 5. exd5 (5. Nxd4 $5 Nc6 6. Bb5 Bd7 7.
Nxc6 Bxc6 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. c4 $1 $14) 5... Qxd5 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nb3
Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 a6 11. Bb3 (11. Re1 Qc7 12. Bb3 Bd6 13. Nf5 Bxh2+
14. Kh1 O-O $132) 11... Qc7 12. Qf3 Bd6 13. Kh1 $5 {An interesting idea: Adams
wants to keep the h3 square for the queen.} (13. h3 O-O 14. Bg5 Nd7 $13 {
is the main line}) 13... Bd7 (13... O-O $5 14. Bg5 Nd7 (14... Be5 15. c3 b6 16.
Qxa8 Bxd4 17. Qf3 Bb7 18. Qe2 Bc5 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Rad1 $16 {1-0 Mendoza,
R-Beltran,C/COL-ch Cali 2003/ (33)}) 15. c3 Ne5 16. Qh5 Ng6 17. Bc2 h6 18. Be3
Nf4 19. Qf3 Nd5 20. Bd2 b5 21. Qe4 f5 22. Qe2 Rf6 23. Bb3 Qc5 24. Rad1 $14 {
1/2-1/2 Potkin,V-Rodriguez Guerrero,E/Linares Anibal op 2002/(44)}) 14. Bg5 Be5
15. Rad1 (15. c3 h6 16. Be3 O-O 17. Rfe1 Rad8 18. Rad1 Bc8 19. Bc2 b5 20. Qh3
b4 $1 $36 {0-1 Blehm,P-Kasimdzhanov,R/Wch B20 Zagan 1997 (48)}) 15... h6 16.
Bh4 O-O 17. Rfe1 Rfd8 18. c3 Rac8 $146 ({Worth considering} 18... Be8 $5 {
with the possible continuation} 19. Qe2 (19. Qh3 $5) 19... Bxd4 20. cxd4 Qf4
21. Bg3 Qg5 22. f4 Qf5 23. Bc2 Qd5 24. Bb3 Qf5 25. Bc2 Qd5 26. Bb3 Qf5 {
1/2-1/2 Asylguzhin,R-Sebenik,M/SLO t-ch Bled 2001 (26)}) 19. h3 (19. Qe2 $5)
19... Bxd4 20. Rxd4 Bc6 21. Qe3 $1 (21. Rxd8+ Rxd8 22. Qe3 Qe7 {with good
chances for equalization.}) 21... Rxd4 22. Qxd4 Qd8 $6 {A good idea - queens
exchange - but poor implementation.  The following should have been played:} (
22... Rd8 23. Qe3 Qe7 {leads with transposition of moves to the previous line.}
) 23. Bxf6 Qxf6 $2 {[%mdl 8192] This attempt meets a tactical refutation. Good
or bad, but Bareev had to play} (23... gxf6 24. Qe3 Kh7 $14) 24. Qxf6 gxf6 25.
Rxe6 $1 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2004.01.19"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B85"]
[WhiteElo "2720"]
[BlackElo "2777"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "85"]
[EventDate "2004.01.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 099"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.03.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Be2 Be7 8. a4
Nc6 9. O-O O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8 12. Bf3 Rb8 13. Qe1 $5 e5 14. Nde2 exf4
15. Nxf4 Be6 16. Bh5 $5 {An attempted improvement on an old Dolmatov's game.
The threat is to take on e6 and if 16...Rf8 the bishop will return to e2
winning a tempo.} (16. Be2 Ne5 17. a5 Qc6 18. Ra4 Bd8 19. Qa1 Bc4 20. Bg1 Rc8
21. Nd3 Be6 22. Nb4 Qd7 23. Rd1 Bg4 24. Bxg4 Qxg4 25. Nbd5 {1-0 Dolmatov,
S-Ftacnik,L/Manila 1990/ (40)}) 16... Nxh5 17. Nxh5 Qa5 18. Nf4 Bc4 19. Nd3 (
19. Nfd5 $5 Bd8 20. Rf4 Nb4 $13) 19... Qd8 $1 (19... Ne5 20. Qg3 $5 (20. Rd1)
20... Qd8 21. Rad1 Bh4 22. Qf4 g5 23. Qf5 Be6 24. Qf6 Qxf6 25. Rxf6 Ng4 $11)
20. b3 (20. Qf2 Bh4 21. Qf4 Ne5 $11) 20... Bxd3 21. cxd3 Bf6 (21... Nb4 22. Qg3
Bf6 23. d4 $14) 22. Rc1 Nb4 23. Qd2 d5 24. Bc5 Bg5 $2 {Kramnik choses a very
risky strategy, while the sensible exchanges in the center promissed good
chance for the equality.} (24... Bxc3 25. Rxc3 Nc6 26. Qf4 f6 (26... Qd7 $2 27.
Bd6 Rbd8 28. exd5 Qxd6 29. Qxf7+ Kh8 30. dxc6 bxc6 (30... Rf8 31. c7 $1 $18)
31. Qc4 $16) 27. Bd6 Ra8 $1 (27... d4 28. Rc5 $14) 28. exd5 Ne5 29. Bxe5 Rxe5
30. Qg4 $14) 25. Qf2 $1 Nxd3 (25... Bxc1 26. Bxb4 Bg5 27. Qxf7+ Kh8 28. Nxd5
$16 {gives white too much for the exchange.}) 26. Qxf7+ Kh8 27. Bd4 Bh6 28.
Rcd1 dxe4 29. Ba7 $1 Re7 $2 {[%mdl 256] Black faces unpleasant problems, but
alternatives were probably better than the game move.} (29... Ra8 30. Nxe4 b5
$1 (30... Rxe4 31. Rxd3 Qe7 32. Rd7 Qxf7 33. Rdxf7 $16) (30... Rxa7 31. Rxd3
Qb8 32. Nd6 $18) 31. Bg1 Rxe4 32. Rxd3 Qe8 $14) (29... Rf8 30. Qxf8+ Qxf8 31.
Rxf8+ Rxf8 32. Nxe4 Rd8 (32... Ne5 33. g3 g6 34. Nd6 $1 $14) 33. g4 Bf4 34. Kg2
Rd7 35. Nf2 Ne5 36. Rxd7 Nxd7 37. Nd3 $14) 30. Qf5 Ra8 (30... g6 $2 31. Qh3 $18
) 31. Nxe4 Rd7 (31... Rxa7 $4 32. Qf8+ $18) 32. Bb6 Qe8 (32... Qe7 33. Nc3 $1
Ne5 34. Rde1 $18) 33. a5 $1 Kg8 (33... Qc8 34. Nf6 gxf6 35. Rxd3 Rxd3 36. Qxd3
Bg7 37. b4 $16) 34. Qg4 (34. Rf3 $1 {Black is so constrained, that that Adams
could already have won with a mighty idea of hitting the d3 knight.} Ne5 35.
Rxd7 Nxd7 36. Nd6 $18) 34... Kh8 35. Rf8+ Qxf8 36. Qxd7 Ne5 37. Qxb7 g6 (37...
Ng4 38. Bc5 Qg8 39. Rf1 $18) 38. h3 Bg7 39. Nd6 h5 40. b4 Qg8 {The defender
has no compensation for his suffering, whiet controls the board.} 41. Bc5 Qb8
42. Qe4 Kh7 43. Rd5 1-0

[Event "ARM-ROW m"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2004.06.11"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C10"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[Annotator "Finkel,A"]
[PlyCount "49"]
[EventDate "2004.06.10"]
[EventType "team"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Rest of the World"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. c3 c5 8.
Ne5 a6 9. Bg5 $5 (9. Be3) 9... Be7 $6 {White's opening choice definitly caught
Akopian off-guard. Otherwise it's hard to explain his 9th move, after which
white gets very unpleasent pressure.} (9... cxd4 10. Qa4+ Bd7 11. Qxd4 Qc7 12.
Nxd7 Nxd7 13. O-O-O f6 14. Bh4 O-O-O 15. f4 $14 {Damaso,R-Cubero Ferreiro,R/
Ferrol 2002}) (9... Qd5 $5 10. Be3 cxd4 11. Qxd4 {1/2-1/2 Robatsch,K-Geller,E/
Havana 1963/MCD (11)}) (9... h6 10. Bh4 g5 $6 11. Bg3 cxd4 12. Qa4+ Nd7 13.
O-O-O $36 {Murariu,A-Jakab,A/Budapest 2003}) (9... b5 10. Qf3 Qd5 11. Be2 Bb7
12. Bxf6 Qxf3 13. Bxf3 Bxf3 14. Bxg7 Bxg2 15. Bxh8 Bxh1 16. f3 Bg2 17. Ke2 $14
{Miron,L-Meier,G/Budva 2003}) 10. dxc5 $1 $14 {After this natural move white
gets very comfortable advantage due to the pressure on the queenside.} Qxd1+ (
10... Qc7 11. Qa4+ Bd7 12. Nxd7 Nxd7 13. Bxe7 Kxe7 14. Rd1 Nxc5 15. Qh4+ f6 16.
Be2 $14) 11. Rxd1 Bxc5 12. Be2 h6 ({No easy life was expecting black after} 
12... Nd5 13. c4 (13. Nd3 Be7 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. c4 Nf6 16. Bf3 Rb8 17. c5 Rd8
$14) 13... Be7 (13... Ne7 14. Bf3 h6 15. Be3 $16) 14. Bxe7 Nxe7 15. c5 $16 {
[%cal Ge2f3,Ge5c4,Gc4b6]}) 13. Bh4 g5 14. Bg3 Ne4 15. Bf3 $6 (15. Rd8+ $142 $5
Kxd8 16. Nxf7+ Ke7 17. Nxh8 Kf6 (17... Bd7 18. Ng6+ Kf6 19. Ne5 Bxf2+ 20. Bxf2
Kxe5 21. Bd4+ $14) 18. Bd3 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Kg7 20. Ng6 $16) 15... Nxg3 16. hxg3
Ke7 $2 {The only explanation for this move is that even the very best players
are just human, which means they also make stupid mistakes from time to time!}
(16... Rb8 17. Rd8+ Kxd8 18. Nxf7+ Ke7 19. Nxh8 $18) (16... Bb6 $1 17. b4 (17.
Nc4 Bc7 18. Nd6+ Ke7 19. Nxc8+ Raxc8 20. Bxb7 Rb8 21. Bxa6 (21. Bc6 Rxb2 22.
Rd7+ Kf6 {[%csl Rh1]}) 21... Rxb2 22. Bc4 Be5 $11) 17... Bc7 18. Nc4 Rb8 19. a4
b6 $14) 17. Bxb7 $1 $18 Bxb7 18. Rd7+ Kf6 19. f4 gxf4 20. gxf4 Kf5 21. Rxf7+
Ke4 22. Rxb7 Rag8 23. Rc7 $1 Be3 (23... Rc8 24. Rxc8 Rxc8 25. Rxh6 $18) 24.
Rc4+ Kd5 25. Rh5 1-0

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.06.28"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Akopian, Vladimir Eduardovic"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2731"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Nc6 7. f3 e6 8. Qd2
Be7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. g4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Nd7 12. h4 Ne5 13. Be2 b5 14. Kb1 Bd7 15.
f4 Nc6 16. Qd2 Qa5 17. Bf3 Rfc8 18. Ne2 Qxd2 19. Rxd2 Na5 20. b3 Rab8 21. g5
Nb7 22. Rf1 Nc5 23. Ng3 b4 24. f5 Bb5 25. Rg1 Bf8 26. h5 Nd7 27. fxe6 fxe6 28.
Bg4 Re8 29. Rf2 g6 30. h6 Ne5 31. Bh3 Rb7 32. Ne2 Bxe2 33. Rxe2 Rf7 34. Rg3 Nd7
35. Bd2 a5 36. c3 bxc3 37. Rxc3 Nc5 38. a4 Rb7 39. Ka2 Rf7 40. Bc1 Na6 41. Ba3
Nb4+ 42. Bxb4 axb4 43. Rc4 Rf3 44. Bg4 Rg3 45. e5 dxe5 46. Rxe5 Bd6 47. Bxe6+
Kh8 48. Rd5 Rg2+ 49. Kb1 Be7 50. Bg4 Rf8 51. a5 Rf1+ 52. Bd1 Rff2 53. Rc8+ Bf8
54. Rd2 1-0

[Event "FIDE-Wch k.o."]
[Site "Tripoli"]
[Date "2004.07.01"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Radjabov, Teimour"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E04"]
[WhiteElo "2670"]
[BlackElo "2731"]
[Annotator "Ribli,Z"]
[PlyCount "94"]
[EventDate "2004.06.19"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "LBY"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 102"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2004.09.23"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 {Ftacnik} Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 dxc4 5. Bg2 a6 6. O-O Nc6 7. e3
Bd7 8. Nc3 Nd5 {Dieser Springerzug ist sehr populär in der letzten Zeit - die
Hauptidee des Zuges ist, dass Schwarz den c3-Springer tauschen kann, aber in
dieser Partie spielte Schwarz eine neue Idee.} 9. Nd2 Nb6 {[%mdl 4] Dieser Zug
ist nicht so riskant, denn er gibt Weiß freie Hand im Zentrum, aber Schwarz
kann seinen Plusbauern halten und es bleiben keine Schwächen in seiner
Stellung.} (9... Nxc3 10. bxc3 b5 11. Qg4 (11. a4 Be7 (11... Rb8 12. axb5 (12.
e4 e5 $5 13. axb5 axb5 14. d5 Ne7 15. Ba3 Ng6 16. Bxf8 Nxf8 17. f4 $44 {
1-0 Wells,P-Barsov,A/York 2000/CBM 81/[Wells] (31)}) 12... axb5 13. Qg4 g6 14.
Qe2 Bd6 15. Ne4 O-O 16. Ba3 Qe7 17. Qf3 $44 {1/2-1/2 Berkes,F-Aronian,L/Goa
2002/CBM 91 ext (53)}) 12. Ba3 Bxa3 (12... Rb8 13. axb5 axb5 14. Ne4 $44 {
[%csl Yc5][%cal Ge4c5]} O-O 15. Qe2 $6 (15. Nc5 $44) 15... Bxa3 16. Rxa3 e5 $15
{1/2-1/2 Berkes,F-Leko,P/Budapest 2003/CBM 95/[Ribli] (41)}) 13. Rxa3 O-O 14.
Ne4 Ne7 15. axb5 Bxb5 16. Nc5 Ra7 17. Qa1 c6 18. Qa2 Nd5 19. Ra1 Qe7 20. Bf1
Nb6 21. Nxa6 Rfa8 22. Qb2 g6 23. Nc5 e5 {1/2-1/2 Filippov,V-Sakaev,K/Moscow
RUS 2004/(55)}) 11... h5 12. Qf3 h4 13. a4 Bd6 14. Ne4 Rb8 15. axb5 axb5 16.
Ra6 Be7 17. Ba3 Bxa3 18. Rxa3 Ne7 19. Qg4 Kf8 20. Nc5 Bc8 21. Rfa1 $44 {
1-0 Veingold,A-Glavina Rossi,P/Zaragoza 2004/CBM 99 ext (31)}) 10. Qe2 Na5 11.
e4 $44 {[%csl Gd4,Ge4] Weiß hat eine starkes Bauernzentrum, aber es ist schwer
zu sagen, ob das genügend Kompensation ist, oder nicht.} Bb4 $1 {Dieser Zug
ist entweder gegen b2-b3 gerichtet oder er ist nur ein aktiver Zug, der die
weiße Entwicklung stört.} (11... Be7 12. b3 cxb3 13. axb3 Nc6 14. Nf3 $44) 12.
Qg4 {Ftacnik: 'Radjabov had a difficult choice after Adam's decision to hold
the c4 pawn. It seems logical to attack the kingside when all the black pieces
are elsewhere, but the defender manages to exchange the queens.'} (12. a3 Be7)
12... Qf6 13. Nf3 h5 $1 {[%csl Rg4] Nach diesem Zug muss Weiß die Damen
tauschen, wonach es fraglich ist, ob er Kompensation hat.} 14. Qf4 Qxf4 15.
Bxf4 O-O-O $15 {Es ist nicht so typisch, dass Schwarz in der katalanische
Verteidigung lang rochiert, aber hier ist es die beste Möglichkeit . Schwarz
hat einen Bauern mehr, was technisch nicht so einfach zu verwerten ist, aber
es ist sicher, dass Weiß keinen ausreichenden Ersatz hat.} 16. Rac1 f6 {
[%cal Gg7g5] Schwarz möchte seine Bauern am Königsflügel mit g7-g5
mobilisieren.} 17. h4 Kb8 18. Rc2 Rhe8 19. Re1 Nc6 {Schwarz verbessert seine
Springerstellung.} 20. Rd2 Na7 {[%cal Ga7b5][%mdl 32] '!' Ftacnik. Ftacnik:
'In the next phase of the game Adams plays brilliantly with his knights, white
has no compensation for the sacrificed pawn.'} 21. Rde2 (21. a3 $2 Bxc3 22.
bxc3 Nb5 23. Rb2 Kc8 $17 {[%cal Rb5a3,Rb5c3]} (23... Nxc3 $2 24. Rxb6 $16))
21... Nb5 22. Bd2 Bxc3 23. bxc3 (23. Bxc3 Nxc3 24. bxc3 Na4 $17) 23... Na4 24.
Re3 c5 $1 {Endlich kann Schwarz seine Bauern am Damenflügel mobilisieren.} 25.
e5 Bc8 (25... Bc6 $5 26. exf6 gxf6 27. Rxe6 Rxe6 28. Rxe6 Naxc3 $17) 26. dxc5
Nxc5 {[%cal Gc5d3]} 27. Bf1 Na3 {[%cal Ra3c2,Rc2e3,Rc2e1]} (27... Nd3 $17) 28.
Nd4 Nc2 $1 29. Nxc2 Rxd2 $17 30. Nd4 b5 {Schwarz hat einen gesunden Bauern
mehr, aber der d4-Springer gibt Weiß Rettungschancen.} 31. R3e2 Rxe2 32. Bxe2
Rh8 {Schwarz riskiert nichts - er verteidigt mit dem Turm den h5-Bauern.} (
32... fxe5 $5 33. Bxh5 (33. Nc6+ Kc7 34. Nxe5 Rd8 35. Bxh5 Rd2 $17) 33... exd4
34. Bxe8 dxc3 $17) 33. exf6 (33. f4 Bb7 $17) 33... gxf6 34. f4 Na4 35. Rc1 Kc7
36. Kf2 Nc5 (36... e5 $17) 37. Ke3 Bb7 (37... e5 38. fxe5 fxe5 39. Nf3 Bg4 $17)
38. Rg1 Bd5 39. g4 {Mit diesem Zug schwächt Weiß seine Königsstellung, aber
guter Rat ist schon teuer.} hxg4 40. Rxg4 Kd6 41. f5 {'?!' Ftacnik.} (41. Bf3
Bxf3 42. Nxf3 Kd5 $19) 41... e5 42. Nc2 Be4 $1 {[%cal Re4c2,Re4f5] Ftacnik:
'The English super grandmaster plays the technical part very convincingly.'
Diese schöne Vereinfachungsmöglichkeit ist die beste Chance für Schwarz.} (
42... Bf7 $17 {[%cal Gf7h5]}) 43. Rxe4 Nxe4 44. Kxe4 Rxh4+ 45. Ke3 Rf4 {
[%csl Rf5]} 46. Nd4 b4 $19 47. Ne6 bxc3 (47... bxc3 48. Nxf4 exf4+ $19) 0-1

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2005.01.16"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Morozevich, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Huzman,A"]
[PlyCount "97"]
[EventDate "2005.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Bd6 7. O-O O-O 8.
Re1 Bf5 9. c4 c6 10. Qb3 Qd7 (10... Na6) 11. Nc3 (11. Be3 dxc4 (11... Na6 $5)
12. Bxc4 Qc7 13. Nc3 Nxc3 14. bxc3 Nd7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Leko,P-Anand,V/Leon 2001/
CBM 84/[Huzman] (20)}) (11. cxd5 cxd5 12. Nc3 Be6 13. Bxe4 dxe4 14. d5 Bxd5 15.
Nxd5 {1/2-1/2 Mikhalchishin-Ionov/Klaipeda YB/11 1988 (15)}) 11... Nxc3 (11...
dxc4 $5 12. Bxc4 (12. Qxc4 Nxc3 13. bxc3 b5 14. Bxf5 Qxf5 15. Qb3 Nd7 $11)
12... Nxc3 13. bxc3 (13. Qxc3 Qc7 14. Ne5 Nd7 15. Bf4 Nb6 16. Bb3 a5 17. a3 a4
18. Ba2 Nd5 19. Qf3 Be6 $11) 13... b5 14. Bf1 Be6 15. c4 $14) 12. Bxf5 Qxf5 13.
bxc3 (13. Qxb7 Qd7 14. Qxd7 (14. Qxa8 Na4 15. c5 Na6 $17) 14... Nxd7 15. bxc3
dxc4 16. Nd2 (16. Rb1 Nb6) (16. Bg5 Nb6 17. Nd2 f6 $11) 16... Rfe8 $11) 13...
b6 14. cxd5 (14. Bg5 f6 15. Be3 Nd7 16. cxd5 Qxd5 17. c4 Qf7 $11) 14... cxd5 (
14... Qxd5 15. c4 Qf5 16. Ba3 Bxa3 17. Qxa3 Nd7 18. Re7 $36) 15. Qb5 (15. Ne5
Nd7 16. Qxd5 Bxe5 17. dxe5 Rfd8 $44 18. Ba3 $140 Nc5 19. Qf3 Qxf3 20. gxf3 Na4
$36) 15... Qd7 $1 16. a4 Rd8 17. g3 (17. Ra2 $5 Nc6 18. Rae2 h6 $11) 17... Bc7
18. Bg5 f6 19. Bd2 Nc6 $11 {Black finished the development of the pieces and
completely egualized the position.} 20. c4 Ne7 21. Rac1 a6 22. Qxd7 (22. Qb3
dxc4 23. Qxc4+ Nd5 $11) (22. Qb4 Re8 $11) 22... Rxd7 23. c5 Kf7 (23... bxc5 24.
dxc5 Nc6 25. Re6 Ne5 26. Nd4 $14) 24. Bb4 (24. c6 Rdd8 25. Bb4 Re8 $11) 24...
bxc5 25. Bxc5 Nf5 26. Rb1 Ba5 27. Re2 h5 28. Rb3 g5 $4 {[%mdl 8192]} 29. Nxg5+
$18 fxg5 30. Rf3 Bd8 31. Rxf5+ Bf6 32. h3 {[%cal Gg3g4]} a5 33. Rb2 {[%cal
Gb2b6]} Ra6 34. Rb5 Ke6 35. Rf3 g4 36. hxg4 hxg4 37. Rf4 {[%csl Rg4]} Rg7 38.
Rb2 Rg5 39. Kg2 Rc6 40. Rb7 Rg6 41. Ra7 Bd8 42. Rf8 Bc7 43. Re8+ Kd7 (43... Kf5
44. Re7 Bd6 45. Bxd6 Rgxd6 46. Rxa5 $18) 44. Re7+ Kc8 45. Ra8+ Kb7 46. Rxa5
Rgf6 47. Ra7+ Kc8 48. Rg7 Rfe6 49. Rg8+ 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2005.01.18"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2757"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2005.01.15"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 105"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.04.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. Be2 Nbd7 8. g4
h6 9. f4 g6 10. f5 {Topalov irritates his opponents with the system featuring
early Nbd7, Adams decides to try punishing him.} Ne5 11. h3 (11. fxe6 fxe6 12.
g5 hxg5 13. Bxg5 {Yakovich,Y-Magerramov,E/URS/URS/1986/}) 11... b5 12. a3 Qe7
$5 {A fine move supporting the center since the bishop would love to operate
from the square b7.} 13. Qd2 Bb7 14. fxe6 fxe6 15. O-O-O Rc8 (15... Nxe4 16.
Nxe4 Bxe4 17. Rhf1 $36) 16. Rhf1 Bg7 17. g5 hxg5 18. Bxg5 Nf7 (18... Rxc3 $5
19. bxc3 $1 (19. Qxc3 $2 Nxe4 20. Bxe7 Bh6+ $1 21. Kb1 Nxc3+ 22. bxc3 Kxe7 $17)
19... Nxe4 (19... Nf7 $5 20. Be3 Nxe4 $15) 20. Bxe7 Nxd2 21. Bf6 $1 Nxf1 22.
Bxg7 Rh7 23. Nxb5 $1 Rxg7 24. Nxd6+ Ke7 25. Bxf1 Bf3 26. Rd4 $14) 19. Kb1 Rc5 {
The moment for great tactics was very tempting, but the sharp lines seem to
favour white.} (19... Rxc3 $2 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Qxc3 $16) (19... Rxh3 $6 20.
Bg4 $1 Rhxc3 21. Nxe6 $1 Bh8 (21... Nxg5 22. Qxg5 $40) (21... Rxc2 22. Nxg7+
Kf8 23. Ne6+ Kg8 24. Rxf6 Rxd2 (24... Qxf6 25. Bxf6 Rxd2 26. Rxd2 $18) 25.
Rxg6+ Kh7 26. Rh1+ Kxg6 27. Bf5#) 22. bxc3 Nxe4 23. Bxe7 Nxd2+ 24. Rxd2 Kxe7
25. Rh2 $16) 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Bg4 Bc8 (21... Ng5 $5 22. Qe3 Rc4 $13) 22. Qg2
Ne5 23. Nce2 g5 24. Ng3 Nxg4 25. hxg4 Bb7 {Can black possibly be worse with a
bishop pair against white knights? Topalov has a loose king and his pieces are
not completely coordinated.} 26. Nh5 Be5 (26... O-O 27. Nxf6+ Rxf6 28. Nb3 $14)
27. Qe2 Rc4 (27... Rf8 28. Rxf8+ Kxf8 29. Nf3 $1 Bh8 30. e5 $1 Bxe5 31. Nxe5
Rxe5 32. Qf2+ Kg8 (32... Ke8 33. Qb6 $14) 33. Rf1 $16) 28. Qe3 Rg8 29. Rf2 Rf8
$6 {[%mdl 256] The rook was a good defender and black will soon miss it.} (
29... Kd8 $5 30. b3 Rc7 31. Nf3 $14) 30. Rxf8+ Kxf8 31. b3 $1 (31. Qxg5 $2 Qxg5
(31... Rxd4 $2 32. Rf1+ Ke8 33. Qg8+ Kd7 34. g5 $1 (34. Rf7 $2 Rd1+ 35. Ka2
Bxe4 36. Rxe7+ Kxe7 37. Nf4 Bxf4 38. Qg7+ $11) 34... Bxe4 (34... b4 35. axb4
Rxb4 36. Rf7 $18) 35. Nf6+ Kc6 36. Nxe4 Rxe4 37. Rf7 $18) 32. Nxe6+ Kf7 33.
Nxg5+ Kg6 34. Nf3 Bxe4 35. Nxe5+ dxe5 $15) 31... Rxd4 (31... Rc5 32. Nf3 $1 (
32. Qxg5 $6 Qxg5 33. Nxe6+ Ke7 34. Nxg5 Bc8 $5 35. Rf1 Bxg4 36. Rf7+ Kd8 37.
Ng7 Kc8 38. Nf5 $16) 32... Bh8 33. e5 $1 Rd5 $5 (33... Bxe5 $2 34. Nxe5 Rxe5
35. Rf1+ $40) 34. Rh1 $1 (34. Rf1 Ke8 35. Qb6 Rxe5 36. Nxe5 Bxe5 37. Qa7 $16)
34... Ke8 (34... Bxe5 35. Nxe5 Rxe5 36. Rf1+ $18) 35. Nf4 $1 $18) 32. Rxd4 Bxd4
33. Qxd4 {White advantage is obvious, aggressive knight cooperates well with
centralized queen.} e5 (33... Kg8 34. e5 dxe5 35. Qxe5 Bg2 36. Qd4 Kh7 37. Nf6+
Kg6 38. Nd7 $36) 34. Qf2+ Ke8 $2 (34... Qf7 35. Qb6 Qd7 36. Ng3 $16) 35. Nf6+
Kd8 36. Qf5 $1 Bc8 37. Qxg5 {Black has lost a pawn and his situation is
suddenly hopeless.} Be6 38. Qh6 Kc7 39. g5 Kc6 40. Qh8 Kb7 41. g6 1-0

[Event "Linares 22nd"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2005.02.26"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Vallejo Pons, Francisco"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2741"]
[BlackElo "2686"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "67"]
[EventDate "2005.02.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 Ng4 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4
g5 9. Bg3 Bg7 10. h3 Ne5 11. Be2 Nbc6 12. Nb3 b5 13. Nd5 {[%mdl 32] Adams is
great in strategical fight and here he transformes the pawn structure to
something quite promissing.} (13. O-O Bb7 (13... O-O 14. Kh1 Bb7 15. f4 gxf4
16. Bxf4 Ng6 17. Be3 Nce5 18. Nd4 b4 19. Nd5 e6 20. Nf4 Bxe4 21. Nh5 Qh4 22.
Bf2 Qxh3+ 23. Kg1 Qxg2# {0-1 Angelov,A-Herman,M/Dos Hermanas 2004/ (23)}) 14.
a4 b4 15. Nd5 e6 16. Ne3 a5 17. Bb5 O-O 18. f4 gxf4 19. Rxf4 Qg5 20. Qe1 Ne7
21. Rd1 {1-0 Klimpel,T-Fenske,N/Passau 1997/ (37)}) (13. a3 Bd7 14. O-O O-O 15.
f4 Nc4 16. Qc1 f6 17. Rd1 gxf4 18. Bxf4 Qb6+ 19. Kh1 Kh7 20. Bxd6 Rfd8 21. Rf1
Nxd6 {0-1 Krcal,M-Bohm,T/Czechia 2001/ (21)}) 13... Nc4 (13... e6 14. Ne3 Bb7
15. Qd2 $14) 14. Bxc4 bxc4 15. Nd2 Bxb2 (15... Rb8 16. Nxc4 Na5 17. Qd3 Nxc4
18. Qxc4 Rxb2 19. O-O $13) (15... e6 16. Nxc4 $1 exd5 17. Qxd5 Qd7 18. Rd1 $14)
16. Rb1 Be5 $6 {Vallejo has probably underestimated the might of the knights
in the center.} (16... c3 17. Nc4 Rb8 18. O-O $13) (16... Bg7 17. Nxc4 Be6 18.
O-O O-O 19. Nce3 $14) 17. Nxc4 Bxg3 18. fxg3 Be6 (18... Rb8 19. Rxb8 Nxb8 20.
O-O Be6 21. Qd4 $14) 19. O-O (19. Rb6 Qd7 20. Nxd6+ Qxd6 21. Nf6+ Kd8 22. Qxd6+
exd6 23. Rxc6 Ke7 $11) 19... Rb8 20. Rb3 Rb5 (20... O-O 21. Nce3 Kg7 22. Qd3
$14) 21. Kh2 O-O 22. Nce3 Ne5 (22... Qa5 $2 23. c4 Rc5 24. Rb7 $16) 23. c4 $1 {
White stabilizes the grip of knights over the position as a prelude to
kingside attack.} Rc5 (23... Rxb3 24. axb3 g4 25. Qa1 $14) 24. Qh5 Kh7 (24...
Kg7 25. Rb7 $16) 25. Rb7 Re8 (25... Nc6 $2 26. Ng4 $1 Bxg4 27. Rxf7+ $18) 26.
Nf5 Bxf5 27. exf5 (27. Rxf5 Kg7 28. Rxe5 dxe5 29. Ne3 Rh8 30. Nf5+ Kf8 31. Nxh6
Rh7 32. Qxg5 Rg7 33. Qd2 $1 $18) 27... Rf8 $2 {Black's position was truly
difficult, but this move represents a second rate solution to the problems. It
seems much better to play 27...Qc8! with tough resistance.} (27... Qc8 $1 28.
Rxe7 Rxe7 29. Nxe7 Qf8 30. f6 Rxc4 31. Rd1 Rc2 32. Rxd6 $16) (27... Rxc4 28. f6
$1 Qa8 29. Rxe7 Rxe7 30. fxe7 $18) 28. Nxe7 Qa8 (28... Rc7 29. Rxc7 Qxc7 30. f6
Qd8 31. Rd1 $18) 29. Rfb1 Rb5 (29... Rxc4 30. Ng6 $1 $18) 30. cxb5 (30. R1xb5
axb5 31. f6 Qxb7 32. Nf5 Ng4+ 33. hxg4 Rh8 34. Nxh6 $18 (34. Qxh6+ Kg8 35. Ne7+
Qxe7 36. Qxh8+ Kxh8 37. fxe7 $18)) 30... Qxb7 31. f6 Qe4 32. Rf1 Rh8 (32... Qd4
33. Nf5 Ng4+ 34. hxg4 Qxf6 35. bxa6 $18) 33. Nf5 Kg8 34. bxa6 1-0

[Event "Linares 22nd"]
[Site "Linares"]
[Date "2005.03.10"]
[Round "14"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E15"]
[WhiteElo "2786"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[Annotator "Tyomkin,D"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2005.02.23"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 106"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.06.06"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 b6 4. g3 Ba6 5. b3 Bb4+ 6. Bd2 Be7 7. Bg2 c6 8. Bc3
d5 9. Ne5 Nfd7 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. Nd2 O-O 12. O-O Rc8 13. e4 b5 14. Re1 dxe4 15.
Bxe4 bxc4 16. Nxc4 {After 16.bxc4 black equalizes easily;} (16. bxc4 c5 (16...
Nb6 17. c5 Nd5 18. Qc2 g6 19. Nf3 Bf6 20. Ne5 Qc7 21. h4 Rfd8 22. Bd2 Bg7 23.
Rad1 Ne7 24. Qc3 Bb5 25. Bc2 $16 {1-0 Karpov,A-Adorjan,A/Luzern 1989/Inf 48/
[Karpov,An] (38)}) 17. d5 exd5 18. Bxd5 Nb6 (18... Bf6 19. Ne4 Bxc3 20. Nxc3
Nb6 21. Qd3 (21. Qg4 Qf6 (21... Bxc4 $5 22. Bxc4 $140 Qd4 {and white should
fight for a draw;}) 22. Rac1 Qd4 23. Re4 Qd2 24. Qf4 Qxf4 25. Rxf4 {1/2-1/2
Polak,T-Shneider,A/Bern 1995/EXT 2000}) 21... Qf6 (21... Bb7 $5 $10 {Hansen,Cu}
) 22. Rad1 Rfd8 23. Re4 Rf8 $2 (23... Rd7 $14 {Hansen,Cu} 24. Qe3 g6 25. Re8+ (
25. Rf4 {Dautov} Qg7 26. Re1 $36 {><f6,f7}) 25... Rxe8 26. Qxe8+ Kg7 27. Ne4
Qe7 28. Qxe7 Rxe7 29. Nxc5 Bxc4 $10) 24. Rde1 {1-0 Neverov,V-Gurevich,V/Azov
1995/CBM 046/[Hansen,Cu] (36)}) 19. Ba5 Rb8 20. Qf3 Qd6 {1/2-1/2 Wells,
P-Lautier,J/Austria 1999/EXT 2000}) 16... Nb6 $146 {Black tested 16...Nf6 and
16...c5 in the past;} (16... c5 17. d5 exd5 18. Qxd5 Bf6 19. Rac1 Bxc3 20. Rxc3
Nf6 21. Qxd8 Rfxd8 22. Bf3 $14 {0-1 Selin,O-Zavgorodniy,S/Alushta 2002/CBM 092
(40)}) (16... Nf6 17. Bg2 c5 18. Rc1 Bxc4 19. bxc4 cxd4 20. Bxd4 Bc5 21. Bxc5
$2 (21. Bc3 $142 {keeping pair of bishops advantage.}) 21... Rxc5 22. Qxd8 Rxd8
23. Red1 Rdc8 $15 {0-1 Pieniazek,A-Shneider,A/Cappelle la Grande 1995/EXT 97 
(60)}) 17. Nxb6 {This leads to a good play of black. 17.Ba5 is sharper but
seems like black does well there too;} (17. Ba5 c5 18. Ne5 Bf6 (18... cxd4 19.
Nc6 Qd7 20. Qxd4 (20. Nxe7+ Qxe7 21. Qxd4 $14 {^^}) 20... Qxd4 21. Nxd4 Bf6 22.
Nc6 $1 $14) 19. Nc6 Qd7 20. dxc5 Nd5 21. Bxd5 exd5 22. Ne5 Bxe5 23. Rxe5 d4 $1
$132) 17... axb6 (17... Qxb6 18. Rc1 $14 {white has more space and better pawn
structure.}) 18. Qc2 h6 19. a4 Qc7 20. Red1 Rfd8 $11 21. Rac1 Qa7 22. Bb2 b5 (
22... Bb7 {[%cal Ge7f6,Ga7a8] and black position looks preferable.}) 23. Ra1
bxa4 24. bxa4 $2 {Serious inaccuracy. White should have played 24.Rxa4 keeping
the balance.} (24. Rxa4 Qb6 25. Bc3 Rd7 $11) 24... Bf6 25. Qd2 $2 {This move
makes things even worse for white.} (25. a5 $142 Bxd4 26. Bxd4 Rxd4 27. Rxd4
Qxd4 28. Rd1 Qe5 29. Qxc6 Qxa5 {definitely better than in the game, but no fun
anyhow.}) (25. Bh7+ Kh8 26. Be4 Bxd4 27. Bxd4 Rxd4 28. Rxd4 Qxd4 29. Rd1 Qc4
$17) 25... c5 26. d5 Bxb2 27. Qxb2 Bb7 28. Qe5 Qa8 {and white loses his
central pawn for nothing.} 29. a5 Bxd5 30. Bxd5 exd5 31. a6 d4 $19 {Two
connectors decide the game easily.} 32. Rd3 (32. a7 Rd7 33. Qf5 Rcc7 34. Ra5 c4
$19) 32... Rd7 33. h4 Qa7 34. Rb3 c4 35. Rb4 c3 36. Qf5 g6 $2 {Time trouble
blunder. 36...c2 would finish the game on a spot.} (36... c2 37. Rc1 d3 $19)
37. Qd3 {Now white manages to stop black pawns for a while.} c2 38. Rc1 Rc3 39.
Qd2 Qxa6 {There is nothing better- black must trade one of his connectors for
a-pawn of white. Despite of that, black si winning anyhow.} 40. Rxc2 Qc6 41.
Rbb2 Kh7 42. Qd1 h5 43. Kh2 Rc7 44. Rxc3 dxc3 45. Rc2 Qe4 {The winning plan
for black is to get the rook to a third rank then hurting white king as well 
(the principle of two weaknesses: one is passed pawn c3, the other is white
king); White pieces must stay passive and unable to hold the defense.} 46. Rc1
Kg7 47. Rc2 Rc8 48. Rc1 Rc5 {c2-c3 advance is possible but not any necessary-
black wins it easily now transferring the rook to a kingside.} 49. Kg1 Kh7 50.
Qd6 (50. Qc2 Qf3 51. Qd1 Qxd1+ 52. Rxd1 c2 53. Rc1 f6 54. Kf1 g5 {and black is
dead winning here.}) 50... Rf5 $1 {here it is! RxP fails to Qe1+} 51. Qd7 Rf3
52. Qa7 Qd5 $1 {putting the finishing touch. Qd2 is coming next winning more
material. One of the worst games of Indian King Vishy....} (52... Qd5 53. Kg2
c2 {[%cal Gf3a3,Gd5d2]}) 0-1

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 1st"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2005.05.14"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Kramnik, Vladimir"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2737"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[Annotator "Huzman,A"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2005.05.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 107"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8. c4
Nb4 9. Be2 O-O 10. Nc3 Bf5 11. a3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Nc6 13. Re1 Re8 14. cxd5 Qxd5
15. Bf4 Rac8 16. Bg3 $146 Bf6 (16... Bd6 17. c4 (17. Nd2 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Na5 (
18... Qd6 19. Bf3 $14) 19. Qa4 b6 20. Bf3 Qd8 $11) 17... Qa5 (17... Qe4 18. d5
Bxg3 19. hxg3 Ne5 $11) 18. d5 Ne5 19. Nd4 Bd7 $11) 17. Nd2 Qa5 18. Qc1 Bxd4 $2
{I think that this combination is incorrect and Kramnik missed something in
his calculations.} (18... Bg5 19. f4 (19. Ra2 Bh6 $11) 19... Bf6 20. Nc4 Qa4
21. Ne3 Nxd4 $1 22. Bd1 Qa5 23. cxd4 Bxd4 24. Kh1 Bxa1 25. Qxa1 Rcd8 $15) 19.
cxd4 Nxd4 20. Bc4 $1 (20. Bf1 Rxe1 21. Qxe1 Nc2 22. Qd1 Nxa1 23. Nc4 Qc5 24.
Qxa1 Be6 $15) 20... Nc2 ({Probably Kramnik's idea was to play} 20... Rxe1+ 21.
Qxe1 Nc2 {but Black is losing in the long line} 22. Qe7 $1 Nxa1 23. Bxf7+ Kh8
24. Be5 $3 Qxd2 25. Bxg7+ $1 Kxg7 26. Be8+ Kh6 27. Qf8+ Kg5 28. f4+ $1 Kxf4 (
28... Qxf4 29. Qe7+ Kh6 (29... Kg4 30. h3+ Kg3 31. Qe1+ Qf2+ 32. Qxf2#) 30.
Qf6+ Bg6 31. Qxf4+ $18) (28... Kg4 29. Bh5+ Kxh5 30. Qxf5+ Kh6 31. Qg5#) 29.
Qh6+ Ke5 30. Qxd2 Rxe8 31. Qe2+ $1 Be4 32. Qb5+ $18) 21. Rxe8+ Rxe8 22. Rb1
Re1+ 23. Qxe1 Nxe1 24. Rxe1 $16 {The arising endgame looks very difficult for
Black because White have good chances to decide the game by piece attack.It is
not easy for Black to combine defence of Kg8 with moving their pawns on the
queen's side.} Kf8 (24... Be6 25. Nf3 Qxa3 26. Bxc7 $16) 25. Nf3 f6 (25... Qxa3
$142 26. Bxc7 Qc5 27. Bf4 $16) 26. Rd1 Qc5 27. Bf1 Ke8 28. Nd4 Bd7 29. Rd3 $1
a5 30. h3 b5 31. Nb3 Qxa3 (31... Qb6 32. Rc3 $18) 32. Bxc7 a4 33. Bd6 Qb2 34.
Nc5 a3 $2 (34... Bc6 35. Re3+ Kf7 36. Re7+ Kg6 (36... Kg8 37. Ne6 $18) 37. Ne6
$18) (34... Bc8 $142 35. Re3+ Kd8 $16) 35. Re3+ $1 Kf7 36. Nd3 $1 $18 Qb1 (
36... Qa1 37. Bxa3 $1 $18) 37. Bxa3 Be6 (37... Bf5 38. Re7+ Kg6 39. Nf4+ Kh6
40. Bc5 $18 {[%csl Rh6]}) 38. Nf4 b4 (38... Bc4 39. Re7+ Kg8 40. Re8+ Kf7 41.
Rf8#) 39. Bxb4 Qxb4 40. Nxe6 g6 41. g3 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 33rd"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2005.07.08"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C43"]
[WhiteElo "2719"]
[BlackElo "2788"]
[Annotator "Huzman,A"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2005.07.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 108"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2005.09.26"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. O-O Bd6 8.
Nc3 Nxc3 9. bxc3 O-O 10. Qh5 f5 11. Re1 c6 12. Bg5 Qc7 13. c4 Be8 14. Qh3 (14.
Qh4 dxc4 15. Bxc4+ Bf7 16. Bd3 Bg6 17. Re6 Rae8 18. Rae1 Qa5 $1 $132 {1/2-1/2
Dominguez,L-Gelfand,B/Bermuda BER 2005/(31)}) 14... h6 $6 {Black weakens his
pawn structure on the king's side without a good reason.} (14... dxc4 15. Bxc4+
Bf7 16. Be6 g6 (16... Bxe6 17. Rxe6 Rae8 18. Rae1 Rxe6 19. Rxe6 Qd7 (19... c5
$132 {Huzman}) 20. Qb3 Rf7 21. h4 f4 22. h5 h6 23. Bh4 Kf8 $11 {1/2-1/2
Kveinys,A-Rytshagov,M/Riga LAT 2004/(39)}) 17. Re2 Rfe8 (17... Bxe6 $142 18.
Rxe6 Rae8 $11) 18. Rae1 Bf8 $2 19. Qb3 $1 $16 {1-0 Dominguez,L-Tkachiev,V/
Tripolis Fide-WM (3.1) sp04/8 2004 (34)}) 15. Bd2 (15. c5 $5 Bxh2+ (15... Bxc5
16. dxc5 hxg5 17. Bxf5 g6 18. Be6+ Bf7 19. Qh6 $18) 16. Qxh2 Qxh2+ 17. Kxh2
hxg5 18. Rab1 b5 (18... Rf7 19. Re5 g6 20. g4 fxg4 21. Bxg6 Rxf2+ 22. Kg3 Rf8
23. Bd3 $16 (23. Bxe8 Raxe8 24. Rxg5+ Kf7 25. Rxb7+ Kf6 26. Rbg7 Re4 27. R7g6+
Ke7 28. Rxg4 $16)) 19. cxb6 axb6 20. Rxb6 Rxa2 21. Re7 $44) 15... Qf7 {After
this move White receives a space advantage and full control over the dark
squares.} (15... dxc4 16. Bxc4+ Bf7 17. Bd3 Bg6 18. Re6 Bf7 19. Re2 Bg6 20.
Rae1 $16) 16. c5 $1 Bc7 17. Rab1 Qd7 (17... Rb8 18. Qh4 $1 Bd8 19. Qg3 f4 20.
Bxf4 Qxf4 21. Rxe8 Qxg3 22. Rxf8+ Kxf8 23. hxg3 $16) 18. Qf3 $1 $16 {[%cal
Gd2f4][%mdl 32]} Bg6 (18... b6 19. Bf4 $16) 19. h4 (19. Bf4 $5 Ba5 20. Re5 $16)
19... Qf7 20. Bf4 Ba5 21. Rec1 (21. Re5 Bd8 $1 $132 {[%cal Yd8f6,Yf6d4,Yf6h4]})
21... Bh5 22. Qg3 b5 (22... Bc3 $142 23. Ba6 $1 bxa6 (23... Bxd4 24. Bxb7 Rae8
25. Bxc6 Re2 26. Rf1 $16 {[%cal Gb1b7]}) 24. Qxc3 $16) 23. cxb6 Bxb6 (23...
axb6 24. c4 $16 {[%csl Ra5]}) 24. c3 Kh7 25. Be5 Qg6 26. Qf4 Rae8 27. Re1 Kg8
28. f3 {[%cal Gg2g4]} Qf7 29. Bd6 Rxe1+ 30. Rxe1 Re8 (30... Rd8 31. Bb4 Bg6 32.
Re7 Qf6 33. Qe5 (33. h5 $5 Bxh5 34. Qxf5 Qxf5 35. Bxf5 $16 {[%csl Rc6][%cal
Gf5d7]} Be8 36. Rb7 $1 Ra8 37. Be6+ Kh7 38. Bd6 $18) 33... Qxe5 34. Rxe5 $16)
31. Rxe8+ Qxe8 32. Be5 $18 {[%mdl 4]} Bg6 33. Bxf5 Qf7 34. Bc8 $1 Qxf4 35. Bxf4
Ba5 (35... c5 36. Be3 $16) 36. Bb8 $1 a6 (36... Bxc3 37. Bxa7 Bb1 38. a3 $18 {
[%cal Ga7c5]}) (36... Bb6 37. Bd6 $16) 37. Bxa6 Bb1 38. a3 Bxc3 39. Ba7 Bc2 40.
h5 Kf7 41. Kf2 Bb2 (41... Bd2 42. Bc5 (42. Ke2 $6 Bf4 43. Bd3 Bb3 $16 {[%csl
Re2][%cal Yf4c1,Yb3d1]}) 42... Kf6 43. Bc8 $1 Bf4 44. Bd7 Ba4 45. g3 Bd2 46. f4
$18 {[%cal Gg3g4]}) 42. Bc5 Bc1 43. Ke1 Bf4 44. Be2 Bb3 45. g4 Ba4 46. Bd1 Bg3+
47. Ke2 Bb5+ 48. Ke3 Bc7 49. a4 Bc4 50. Bb4 Bh2 51. Kf2 g6 52. hxg6+ Kxg6 53.
Be2 Bg1+ 54. Kxg1 Bxe2 55. Kf2 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.15"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B85"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2801"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. a4
Nc6 9. Be3 O-O 10. f4 Qc7 11. Kh1 Re8 {One of very often played basic position
of Scheveningen Sicilian defense. Black has to play exactly and the first
player can choose from many concepts trying for the advantage.} 12. Bf3 Bf8 13.
Qd2 (13. Nb3 b6 14. e5 dxe5 15. fxe5 Nd7 16. Bxc6 Qxc6 17. Nd4 Qb7 18. Qh5 g6
19. Qh4 Nxe5 20. Ne4 Be7 21. Ng5 Bxg5 22. Bxg5 f5 23. Rae1 Qd5 {1/2-1/2 Adams,
M (2719)-Topalov,V (2788)/San Luis 2005/ (45)}) 13... Na5 (13... Nxd4 14. Bxd4
e5 15. Be3 exf4 16. Bd4 $1 Be7 $14) 14. b3 (14. Qf2 Nc4 15. Bc1 e5 16. Nde2 d5
$1 17. fxe5 Nxe5 18. Bf4 dxe4 19. Nxe4 Qxc2 $11 {Sutovsky,E-Kasparov,G/Tel
Aviv/1998/}) 14... Rb8 (14... d5 15. e5 Nd7 (15... Bb4 16. Ncb5 $1 Bxd2 17.
Nxc7 Bxe3 18. exf6 Bxd4 19. Nxe8 Bxa1 20. Rxa1 gxf6 21. g4 $16) 16. Nce2 f6 $2
17. Nxe6 $1 Rxe6 18. Bxd5 Nc5 19. f5 Qxe5 20. Bxc5 Bxc5 21. fxe6 Nc6 22. e7+
Be6 23. Bxc6 $18 {Navara,D-Pedersen, Morso 2002}) 15. Rad1 (15. Nde2 b6 16. Qe1
Nc6 17. Qf2 Nb4 18. Na2 Nxa2 19. Rxa2 Nd7 20. Bd4 Bb7 {Dolmatov - Kurnosov,
Istanbul 2003}) 15... Nc6 $146 {The first independent move in the game, after
15...b6 white can immediately strike in the center.} (15... b6 16. e5 dxe5 17.
fxe5 Nd7 18. Bf4 Nxe5 19. Qe3 f6 20. Ne4 {Jansa,V-Stohl,I/Koeln/2002/}) 16. Bf2
(16. Nxc6 bxc6 17. e5 Nd5 18. Bd4 $14) (16. e5 dxe5 17. Nxc6 bxc6 18. fxe5 Nd5
19. Bd4 Bb4 (19... Rd8 20. Ne4 c5 21. Ba1 c4 22. bxc4 Qxc4 23. Ng5 $16) 20. Qd3
Bxc3 21. Bxc3 Bb7 (21... Nxc3 22. Qxc3 c5 23. Rd6) 22. Be4 h6 23. Bd2 c5 24.
Qg3 $40) 16... Nd7 (16... Bd7 17. Nde2) (16... Nxd4 17. Qxd4 e5 18. Qd2 exf4
19. Bd4 $14) (16... e5 17. Nde2 Nb4 18. Bh4 Be7 19. f5 b6 $13) 17. Bg3 Nxd4 18.
Qxd4 b5 $6 {Topalov is an active player and thus he would love to complicate
white's plan with e4-e5 advance by generating counterplay on the queenside.} (
18... b6 19. f5 $14) 19. axb5 axb5 20. b4 $1 {Excellent solution by Adams is
fixating the pawn b5 as a target, teh defender will have more difficulties
bringing pieces into counterplay.} g6 $6 (20... Qc4 21. Be2 (21. Qxc4 bxc4 22.
b5) 21... Qc6 (21... Qxd4 22. Rxd4 Ba6) 22. e5) (20... e5 21. Qd2) (20... Ba6
$5 21. Ra1 Rec8 22. Ra3 Rb6 $14) 21. e5 d5 (21... Bg7 22. Ne4 d5 23. Nf6+ $16)
22. f5 $3 {[%mdl 128] Brilliant attacking move suggests, that the defense with
the idea 20...g6?! has missed the desired goals.} gxf5 (22... Qc4 23. fxe6 fxe6
24. Nxd5 $1 Qxd4 25. Rxd4 exd5 26. Bxd5+ Kh8 27. Bc6 $18) (22... Qb6 23. fxe6
fxe6 24. Nxd5 exd5 25. Bxd5+ Kh8 26. Qh4 Be7 27. Qh6 Bf8 28. Rxf8+ Nxf8 (28...
Rxf8 29. e6 $18) 29. e6 $1 Rb7 30. Be5+ Kg8 31. e7+ Ne6 32. Qg7#) (22... Bb7
23. fxe6 fxe6 24. Nxd5 exd5 25. Bxd5+ Bxd5 26. Qxd5+ Kh8 27. e6 $18) 23. Nxd5
$1 Qc4 (23... exd5 $2 24. e6 Qb6 25. exf7+ Kxf7 26. Bh5+ $18) 24. Qd2 $1 (24.
Nf6+ Nxf6 25. exf6 Qxd4 26. Rxd4 e5 $1 (26... Rb6 27. Be5) 27. Re1 Bb7 28. Bxe5
Ra8 $1 29. Bxb7 Rxe5 30. Rg1 $16) 24... h6 (24... exd5 25. Qg5+ $1 (25. Bxd5
Qg4 (25... Qxb4 26. Qg5+ Bg7 27. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 28. Qxf5+ Kg8 29. Qf7+ Kh8 30.
Qxe8+ Nf8 31. e6 $18)) 25... Bg7 (25... Kh8 26. Bxd5 Qg4 27. Qxg4 fxg4 28. Bxf7
Re7 29. e6 $18) 26. Bxd5 Qxc2 (26... Qg4 27. Qxg4 fxg4 28. Bxf7+ Kf8 29. Bh5+)
27. Bxf7+ $1 Kxf7 28. Qh5+ Kg8 (28... Kf8 29. Rxf5+) (28... Ke7 29. e6) 29. Rc1
$1 (29. Qxe8+ Nf8 30. Rc1 Qe2 31. e6 $18) 29... Qe4 30. Qxe8+ Nf8 31. Rc7 $18)
(24... Kh8 25. c3 $1 $16) 25. h3 $1 {The englishman was in a great form.
Surprizing quiet pawn move suggests, that Topalov is suffering due to
desperate lack of useful moves.} exd5 (25... Bg7 26. Nf6+) (25... Bb7 26. Ne3)
(25... Kh7 26. c3 $1) 26. Bxd5 Qxb4 27. c3 Qc5 $6 {Very few players are
excelling in the defensive tasks, the world champion has missed the last
chance for a stubborn resistance with the tough move 27...Qe7!} (27... Qa3 28.
Rxf5 Re7 29. Rxf7 Rxf7 30. e6 $18) (27... Qe7 $1 28. Rxf5 Nxe5 29. Rxe5 Be6 30.
Rxe6 fxe6 31. Bxb8 Rxb8 32. Qf4 $16) 28. Rxf5 Re6 (28... Re7 29. e6 $18) (28...
Nxe5 29. Rxe5 Rxe5 30. Bxe5 Rb6 31. Qf4 Qe7 32. Rf1 $18) 29. Rxf7 $1 Nb6 (29...
Kxf7 30. Qf4+ Ke8 (30... Ke7 31. Bh4+ $18) 31. Bxe6 Nxe5 32. Rd5 $18) 30. Rdf1
{Slightly more exact and punchy impression made a continuation of the attack
with 30.Qf4!, but even the doubling of rooks is tragic for opponent.} (30. Qf4
$1 Bg7 (30... Nxd5 31. Rxd5 Qa3 32. Rd8 (32. Qf5)) 31. Rf1 Nxd5 32. Qg4 $1 $18)
30... Nxd5 (30... Bg7 31. Qf4 Nxd5 32. Qg4 $18) 31. Rxf8+ Qxf8 32. Rxf8+ Kxf8
33. Qxd5 Ke8 34. Bh4 Bd7 35. Bf6 b4 36. Qe4 {Adams is not a calculating type,
but the more exact queen move 36.Qd3! was simple and would force immediate
capitulation.} (36. Qd3 $1 Rxf6 (36... Bc8 37. Qd8+ Kf7 38. Qc7+) (36... Bc6
37. Qg6+ Kd7 38. Qf7+) 37. exf6 $18) 36... Bc8 37. cxb4 Rb7 38. Qg6+ Kd7 39.
Qxh6 Kc7 40. Qf4 Kb8 41. h4 Rc7 42. h5 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2006.01.20"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2707"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "87"]
[EventDate "2006.01.14"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 111"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.04.04"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 7. a4 b6 8. g4
Bb7 9. Bg2 Nfd7 $6 {This smart move is not suffcient to slow down white
advance on the kingside. Ivanchuk moves developed piece in the moment, when he
is slightly behind in bringing pieces to play.} (9... h6 10. h4 g6 11. Qe2 Nbd7
12. g5 hxg5 13. hxg5 Rxh1+ 14. Bxh1 Nh5 15. O-O-O Rc8 16. Bf3 Ng7 17. Rh1 Ne5
18. Bg2 Nc4 19. f4 Qc7 20. Bd2 Nh5 21. Qd3 Bg7 {0-1 Atlas,V (2503)-Nielsen,P 
(2642)/Austria 2002 (36)}) (9... d5 10. e5 Nfd7 11. f4 Nc6 12. O-O Nxd4 13.
Bxd4 Bc5 14. Ne2 Qc7 (14... O-O 15. g5 a5 16. Rf3 Ba6 17. Bf1 Qe7 {1/2-1/2
Smirin,I (2630)-Yudasin,L (2615)/Haifa 1995}) 15. c3 a5 16. Ng3 O-O 17. g5 g6
18. Rf2 Rfc8 19. Nf1 b5 20. axb5 Qb6 21. Ne3 Qxb5 {1/2-1/2 Asrian,K (2646)
-Huzman,A (2573)/Moscow 2006 (39)}) 10. f4 Nc6 11. O-O Rc8 12. Nxc6 $1 Rxc6 $6
{Taking the knight on c6 is a strategical meassure in quite a few positions
and black always agonizes about the best way to recapture. The rook doesn't
really belong to c6.} (12... Bxc6 13. Bd4 Bb7 14. Qe2 $14) 13. f5 g6 (13... Be7
14. fxe6 fxe6 15. g5 Ne5 16. Qh5+ g6 17. Qh6 Bf8 18. Qh3 Bc8 $14) 14. fxe6 fxe6
15. Ne2 $1 {[%mdl 2048] An excellent manouver of the knight. Defender will
have a difficult task to defend critical weakness e6.} Bg7 (15... e5 16. Nc3
$16) 16. Nd4 (16. e5 Bxe5 17. Nd4 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 e5 19. Qd1 Qh4 20. g5 Rc7 21.
Bxb7 Rxb7 22. Qf3 $16) 16... Bxd4 17. Bxd4 e5 (17... Ne5 18. Qd2 $16) 18. Be3
Rf8 19. Qe2 (19. Qd5 $5 Qe7 20. g5 (20. Rxf8+ Nxf8 21. Rf1 Rxc2 22. Qb3 Rxg2+
23. Kxg2 Bxe4+ 24. Kg3 Ne6 25. Qxb6 $16) 20... Rc7 21. Qb3 a5 22. Qd3 $16)
19... Qe7 20. c3 (20. a5 bxa5 21. g5 $16) 20... Qe6 21. Rxf8+ Nxf8 22. a5 $1 {
Unpleasant situation for black ,since his dark squares will now become
vulnerable on all parts of the board.} b5 (22... bxa5 23. Rxa5 Kf7 24. g5 $16)
23. Qf2 Qe7 (23... b4 24. cxb4 Qb3 25. Bg5 $1 Nd7 26. Qh4 Qxb2 27. Rd1 Qb3 28.
Rf1 Qg8 29. Qf2 $16) 24. h4 Ne6 25. Rd1 Rc4 26. g5 Nc5 (26... Bxe4 27. b3 $1
Bxg2 28. bxc4 $18) 27. Bxc5 Rxc5 (27... dxc5 28. Bh3 $1 (28. Qc2 Ra4 29. b3
Rxa5 $13) 28... Bc6 29. Qg3 Kf7 (29... Ra4 30. Qg4 Kf7 31. Qc8 Be8 32. Bd7 $18)
30. b3 Rxe4 31. Bg2 $18) 28. Rd3 $1 {Adams knows, how to play with pieces and
the rook aims for the perfect location on f6.} Bc8 $6 (28... Rc4 29. Qb6 Rc6
30. Qa7 Bc8 31. Qf2 Be6 32. Rf3 $16) 29. Rf3 Be6 30. Rf6 Rc6 (30... Bb3 31. Kh2
Rc6 32. Qf3 Bf7 33. Bh3 $16) 31. Kh2 Rc5 32. Qe3 Qd7 33. Qf3 Qe7 34. h5 $1 {
White has all the advantages of better pieces, but he needs concrete targets.}
b4 (34... Bf7 35. hxg6 hxg6 (35... Bxg6 36. Bh3 Bf7 37. Bg4 $18) 36. Qh3 Qf8
37. Qh7 Rc7 38. Bh3 Rb7 39. Be6 $18) 35. cxb4 Rc2 36. Qd3 Rxb2 37. Qc3 Ra2 38.
Qc6+ Kd8 (38... Bd7 39. Qa8+ Qd8 40. Rf8+ $18) 39. Qb6+ Kd7 40. Qxa6 gxh5 41.
Qb7+ Kd8 42. Qb8+ Kd7 (42... Bc8 43. Rxd6+ $18) 43. a6 Kc6 44. Qb7+ $1 (44.
Qb7+ $1 Qxb7 45. axb7 Kxb7 46. Rxe6 $18) 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 34th"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2006.08.02"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Gelfand, Boris"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B90"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2729"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "233"]
[EventDate "2006.07.29"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 114"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2006.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. a4 g6 7. Be2 Bg7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Be3 Nc6 10. Qd2 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 Be6 12. a5 Rc8 13. Bd3 {White has no real
reason to believe in advantage of his position, but he can certainly try to
get one.} (13. h3 Bc4 14. Rfe1 Bxe2 15. Rxe2 e6 16. Bb6 Qe7 17. Rd1 Rc6 18. Nd5
Qd7 19. Nxf6+ Bxf6 20. e5 Be7 21. h4 d5 {1/2 Cassidy,R-Caro,A/Tel Aviv 1964/ 
(45)}) (13. Rfc1 d5 14. exd5 Nxd5 15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Nxd5 Qxd5 17. Qb4 Rc7 18.
c4 Qe5 19. Bf3 Rd8 20. Re1 Qd6 21. Qc3+ {1/2 Anand,V (2762)-Gelfand,B (2681)/
Shenyang 2000/}) 13... Bc4 (13... Nd7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 15. f4 Qc7 $13) 14. Rfd1
Qc7 (14... Nd7 15. Bxc4 Rxc4 16. Bxg7 Kxg7 17. b3 $14) 15. h3 Rfe8 (15... Be6
16. Ra4 $14) 16. Bxc4 Qxc4 17. Ra4 Qc6 18. Rb4 {Due to the somewhat clumsy
play by Gelfand the first player has made some progress.} Qc7 (18... Nxe4 $4
19. Nxe4 Qxe4 20. Bxg7 $18) 19. Rb6 Nd7 (19... Red8 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Nd5 Qxc2
22. Nxf6+ exf6 23. Qxc2 Rxc2 24. Rxb7 Kg7 25. b4 $16) 20. Nd5 Qb8 (20... Qxc2
21. Rxb7 Bxd4 22. Rxd7 Qxd2 23. Rxd2 Rc4 24. Rxe7 $16) 21. Rb4 Ne5 22. Ra4 (22.
Nb6 Rc7 23. Bc3 Nc6 24. Rb3 $14) 22... Rc4 $2 {This is rather instructive
mistake as the defender was operating under the famous delusion: it must be
good to exchange pieces if you are under pressure. Unfortunately for Black now
it will become next to impossible to kick out the magnificent white knight
from d5.} (22... Rc6 23. b3 e6 24. Nb4 $14) 23. Rxc4 Nxc4 24. Qc3 Bxd4 (24...
Ne5 25. f4 e6 26. Nb6 Rd8 27. Rf1 $18) 25. Rxd4 Ne5 26. Rb4 Nc6 27. Rb6 Qc8 28.
b4 Qd7 (28... Rd8 $2 29. Rxc6 $18) 29. b5 $1 {Adams has played very well and
with simple means has managed to break through the solid black position.} axb5
(29... Na7 30. Qc7 $1 Qxc7 31. Nxc7 Rc8 32. Rxb7 Nxb5 33. Nxb5 axb5 34. a6 $18)
(29... Nb8 30. Qc7 $1 Qxc7 31. Nxc7 Rc8 32. Rxb7 $18) 30. a6 b4 31. Qa1 $6 {
The english grandmaster is a brilliant positional player, but finds it less
attractive to put the effort into proper calculations. It is costing him a
decisive advantage as he omits the witty combination with 32.Rxb7!} (31. Qc4
Ne5 32. Rxb7 $1 Qxb7 33. axb7 Nxc4 34. Nxe7+ Rxe7 (34... Kg7 35. Nc8 Nb6 36.
b8=Q Nxc8 37. Qxb4 $18) 35. b8=Q+ Kg7 36. Qxb4 $18) 31... bxa6 32. Qxa6 Nd4 33.
Rxb4 Ne6 $2 {Gelfand was not in best form on the day the game was played, on
several occasions he have missed better defensive options.} (33... Qc6 $1 34.
Qxc6 (34. Qa7 Ne2+ 35. Kh2 Qxc2 36. Nxe7+ Kg7 $11) 34... Nxc6 35. Rc4 Nb8 36.
Rc7 Kf8 37. f3 Na6 38. Ra7 Nc5 $14) 34. Rb7 Qc8 (34... Nc5 35. Rxd7 Nxa6 36.
Rxe7 Rb8 37. f3 $16) 35. Qb5 Kf8 (35... Nd4 $2 36. Qb2 Nc6 37. Rc7 Qa8 38. Qc3
$18) 36. Qb2 Ng7 (36... f6 37. Nxe7 $1 $18) 37. Nxe7 $1 Qc4 (37... Qe6 38. Nd5
Qxe4 39. Nf6 Qe1+ 40. Kh2 Rd8 41. Nxh7+ Kg8 42. Qf6 Qe5+ 43. Qxe5 dxe5 44. Nf6+
Kf8 45. Nd7+ Kg8 46. c4 $18) 38. Qf6 (38. Nd5 $142 $5) 38... Qxe4 39. Nf5 Qe1+
40. Kh2 Qe5+ 41. Qxe5 dxe5 (41... Rxe5 42. Nxd6 f5 (42... Nf5 43. Nxf7 Re2 44.
Ng5 $16) 43. Rf7+ Kg8 44. Rc7 Ne6 45. Re7 $16) 42. Nd6 {[%mdl 4096] The
problems are not over even after the exchange of the queens as the defender
will struggle to keep the disadvantage at a managable level.} Rd8 43. Nxf7 Rc8
(43... Rd2 44. c4 Rxf2 45. Nxe5 Re2 46. Nd7+ $16) 44. Ng5 $1 h5 (44... Rxc2 45.
Nxh7+ Kg8 46. Nf6+ Kf8 47. Nd7+ Kg8 48. Nxe5 $18) (44... h6 45. Nh7+ Kg8 46.
Nf6+ Kf8 47. Nd7+ Kg8 48. c4 $1 e4 (48... Rxc4 49. Rb8+ Kf7 50. Nxe5+ $18) 49.
Nf6+ Kf8 50. c5 Ne6 51. Rb5 Ke7 (51... Nxc5 52. Rxc5 Rxc5 53. Nd7+ $18) 52.
Nxe4 $18) 45. Nh7+ Kg8 46. Nf6+ Kf8 47. Nh7+ Kg8 48. Nf6+ Kf8 49. Nd7+ Kg8 50.
Rb2 $6 {Adams is sloppy again in the moment, when all it took was to find a
way how to avoid stalemate ideas.} (50. Nxe5 $1 Rxc2 51. Nxg6 Rxf2 (51... Nf5
52. Ne7+ Nxe7 53. Rxe7 Rxf2 54. Re5 h4 55. Re4 $18) 52. Rb8+ Kh7 53. Nf8+ Kh6 (
53... Kg8 54. Ne6+ Kh7 55. Rb7 $18) 54. Rb6+ Kg5 55. Rg6+ Kh4 56. Nd7 $1 (56.
Rxg7 $2 Rxg2+ 57. Kxg2 $11) 56... Nf5 57. Ne5 Nd4 58. Rg3 Rf6 59. Ng6+ Rxg6 60.
Rxg6 Nf3+ 61. Kh1 $1 $18) 50... Kf7 51. Nxe5+ Kf6 52. Nf3 Ne6 53. Rb6 Ke7 54.
Ne5 {Yet anothe second rate move in comparison to the winning 54.Nh4!.
Sometimes even the excentric moves can have great merit!} (54. Nh4 $1 g5 55.
Nf5+ Kf6 56. Nd4 $18) 54... g5 55. c4 (55. Rb7+ Kf6 56. Nd7+ Kf5 57. Rb5+ Kg6
58. c4 $18) 55... h4 (55... Rc5 56. Rb7+ Kd6 57. Nf7+ Kc6 58. Re7 $18) 56. Rb7+
Kf6 57. Ng4+ Kg6 58. Rb6 Kf7 {Naturally black must be objectively lost, but
the way to convert the advantage can be very arduous.} (58... Kf5 59. Ra6 Rc5
60. g3 Nd4 61. Kg2 $18) 59. Rb7+ Kg6 60. Ne3 Ra8 61. Rb6 Kf7 62. g3 Ra2 63. Kg2
hxg3 64. Kxg3 Nc5 65. Kf3 Nd3 66. Ng4 Ke7 67. Rb3 Nc5 68. Re3+ Kf7 69. Ne5+ Kf6
70. Ng4+ Kg6 71. Re5 Ra3+ 72. Ne3 Nd3 73. Rd5 Rc3 74. Rd4 Ra3 75. h4 gxh4 76.
Rxh4 Ra2 77. Rh2 Kf6 78. Ke4 Nc5+ (78... Nxf2+ 79. Rxf2+ $1 Rxf2 80. Ng4+ Ke6
81. Nxf2 $18) 79. Kd5 Nb3 80. f3 Ra5+ 81. Ke4 Nc5+ 82. Kf4 Ne6+ 83. Kg3 Ra3 84.
Re2 Kg5 85. Nc2 Ra6 86. Nb4 Rb6 87. Nd5 Rd6 88. Re5+ Kh6 89. Nf4 Nc7 90. c5 Rc6
91. Kg4 Kg7 92. Kf5 Kf7 93. Ke4 Ra6 94. Rf5+ Ke8 95. Ke5 Rc6 96. Nd3 Ke7 97.
Rh5 Re6+ 98. Kd4 Rf6 99. f4 Ra6 100. Rh7+ Kd8 101. f5 Ne8 102. Nb4 Ra1 103.
Nc6+ Kc8 104. Rh8 Kd7 105. Ne5+ Ke7 106. Ng6+ {Adams is truly tired after so
much work for the deserved point, that he forgets to finish the game by
coordinating the pieces.} (106. Rh6 $1 Rd1+ 107. Nd3 Nf6 108. c6 $18) 106...
Kd8 107. Kd5 Re1 108. c6 (108. Rf8 Kc7 109. Rf7+ Kc8 110. Kc6 Ra1 111. Ne7+ Kd8
112. Nd5 $18) 108... Rd1+ 109. Ke5 Kc7 110. Rxe8 Re1+ 111. Kd5 Rxe8 112. f6 $2
(112. Nf4 $1 Rd8+ (112... Re7 113. Ne6+ Kc8 114. f6 $18) 113. Kc5 Rd1 114. Nd5+
Kd8 115. Kd6 $18) 112... Rd8+ 113. Kc5 Rd1 $4 {The final act in comedy of
errors! Gelfand was not suspecting that at the end of a grinding game he will
be getting another chance.} (113... Ra8 $1 114. Ne5 (114. Ne7 Ra5+ 115. Kd4 Kd6
116. Nc8+ Kxc6 117. f7 Rd5+ 118. Ke4 Rd8) 114... Ra1 115. Kd5 (115. f7 Rf1 116.
Kd5 Rf6 $11) 115... Rd1+ 116. Ke6 Rd6+ 117. Ke7 Rd5 118. Ke6 Rd6+ 119. Kf5 Rd8
120. f7 Kd6 121. Kf6 Ra8 $11) 114. f7 Rc1+ 115. Kd5 Rd1+ 116. Ke6 Rf1 117. Ne7
(117. Ne7 Rf2 118. Nf5 $18) 1-0

[Event "Sofia MTel Masters 3rd"]
[Site "Sofia"]
[Date "2007.05.12"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Nisipeanu, Liviu Dieter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C07"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2007.05.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "BUL"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 118"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.05.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Nb3 Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 a6 11. Re1 Bd7 12. Bg5 Qc5 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14.
Bxf6 gxf6 15. Nxe6 Bxe6 16. Rxe6+ Be7 17. b4 Qc3 18. Re3 Qc7 19. Qh5+ Kf8 20.
Rae1 Re8 21. Qh6+ Kf7 22. Qh5+ Kf8 23. Qh6+ Kf7 24. c3 Rhg8 25. Qxh7+ Rg7 26.
Qh5+ Kf8 27. g3 Qd7 28. Re6 Rg5 29. Qh8+ Kf7 30. Qh7+ Rg7 31. Qh5+ Rg6 32. c4
Kg7 33. Qd5 Qc7 34. Qe4 Kf7 35. c5 Qd7 36. Qf5 Kg7 37. Qe4 Kf7 38. Qf5 Kg7 39.
Qh5 1-0

[Event "Candidates sf"]
[Site "Elista"]
[Date "2007.05.31"]
[Round "1.4"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E17"]
[WhiteElo "2699"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2007.05.27"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 119"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.08.01"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. d5 exd5 8. Nh4
{This system (introduced by Polugaevsky in his famous game vs. Kortschnoj) is
not very popular nowadays. White has decent compensation for the pawn but
hardly an advantage.} c6 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Nf5 Nc7 11. e4 d5 12. Nc3 Bf6 13.
exd5 (13. Bf4 {is played more frequently in this position}) (13. Re1 {is
another option.}) 13... Nxd5 (13... Bxc3 $6 14. bxc3 Nxd5 15. Qg4 g6 16. Bh6
Re8 17. Rfe1 $18 {1-0 Velickovic,Z-Riemelmoser,O/Graz 1994/EXT 1998 (29)}) (
13... cxd5 {is the main theoretical move.}) 14. Nxd5 (14. Ne4 Bc8 $1 {The
point of Black's defence: he gets rid of the terrible f5 knight.} 15. Qf3 Bxf5
16. Qxf5 Nd7 17. Rd1 Qe7 18. Nxf6+ N7xf6 19. Bg5 Qb4 20. Rac1 h6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6
22. Bxc6 Rad8 23. Qc2 {1/2-1/2 Rzoska,K-Zdebskaja,N/Wroclaw 2004/EXT 2007})
14... cxd5 15. Bf4 $1 $146 {[%mdl 8]} (15. Ne3 Re8 (15... Nd7 16. Nxd5 Bxd5 17.
Qxd5 Rc8 18. Bf4 Nc5 19. Bd6 Be7 20. Rfd1 Bxd6 21. Qxd6 Qxd6 22. Rxd6 Rfd8 23.
Rad1 Rxd6 24. Rxd6 Kf8 {1/2-1/2 Steinbacher,M-Seegers,H/Germany 1998/EXT 1999 
(62)}) (15... Nc6 16. Nxd5 Be5 $11 17. Rb1 $6 Nd4 18. Nc3 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Qf6 $36
{0-1 De Waard,R-Lemmers,O/Helmond 1993/EXT 2004 (32)}) 16. Nxd5 Nc6 17. Nxf6+
Qxf6 18. Qf3 {1/2-1/2 Sterling,F-Perez,G/SEMI 1997/Telechess CBM 93}) (15. Re1
$5 Na6 $5 16. Bf4) 15... Nd7 (15... Qd7 16. Bh3 Kh8 {looks risky but still
needs testing.}) 16. Nd6 Ba6 17. Qxd5 $6 {[%mdl 512] This exchange sacrifice 
(or a complicated combination started with this move) only leads to equality.}
(17. Re1 $142 Nc5 (17... Bxb2 $6 18. Bxd5 $1 {[%cal Rd6f7]}) 18. Bxd5 Nd3 19.
Qa4 $1 {leads to very promising complications for White and puts the whole 13..
.Nxd5 idea under s cloud.}) 17... Bxf1 18. Kxf1 (18. Rxf1 Qe7 $5) 18... Rb8 19.
Rd1 (19. Nb7 Rxb7 20. Qxb7 Nc5 21. Qxa7 Bxb2 22. Re1 Bc3 23. Rc1 Bb2 $11) 19...
Nc5 20. Nxf7 $5 (20. b4 $2 Ne6) 20... Rxf7 21. b4 Qxd5 22. Bxd5 Rd8 $1 23. bxc5
bxc5 24. Be3 $4 {[%mdl 8192] A terrible blunder, after which White is just an
exchange down.} (24. Bxf7+ Kxf7 25. Rc1 $11 ({rather than} 25. Rxd8 Bxd8 {
and the black king comes to d5 first})) 24... Kh8 $19 {Game over...} 25. Bxf7
Rxd1+ 26. Ke2 Rd7 27. Bb3 Bd4 28. Bf4 Re7+ 29. Kf1 g6 30. Bh6 Rc7 31. Bf4 Rc6
32. Bd5 Rb6 33. Bb3 Rc6 34. Bd5 Rb6 35. Bb3 c4 $1 36. Bxc4 Rb2 37. h4 Rxf2+ 38.
Ke1 Rc2 39. Bb3 Rh2 40. a4 Kg7 0-1

[Event "UK-CHN"]
[Site "Liverpool"]
[Date "2007.09.06"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Ni, Hua"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[PlyCount "101"]
[EventDate "2007.09.04"]
[EventType "schev"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 120"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.10.02"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Nc3 Qc7 5. d3 a6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. a4 a5 8. Be3
e5 9. h3 Bd6 10. Nd2 Be6 11. b3 Nd7 12. O-O f6 13. Nc4 Bxc4 14. bxc4 g6 15. Qg4
O-O-O 16. Rab1 Rdf8 17. Bh6 Rf7 18. Rb3 Bf8 19. Bd2 Rg7 20. h4 h5 21. Qh3 g5
22. hxg5 fxg5 23. Qe6 Re7 24. Qf5 Bh6 25. Rfb1 g4 26. Bxh6 Rxh6 27. Qg5 Rf6 28.
Rxb7 Qxb7 29. Rxb7 Kxb7 30. Qxh5 g3 31. f3 Rg7 32. Nd1 Re6 33. Qh8 Ree7 34. Ne3
Rh7 35. Qd8 Nb6 36. Nf5 Rd7 37. Qg8 Nxa4 38. Qxg3 Ka6 39. Qxe5 Rb7 40. g4 Rb2
41. Ne3 Rb1+ 42. Kg2 Nb6 43. Qxc5 a4 44. Qa3 Rhh1 45. c5 Rbg1+ 46. Kf2 Ra1 47.
Qb2 Nd7 48. Qd4 Nb8 49. Qd8 Rhb1 50. Nc4 Rb5 51. g5 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 16th"]
[Site "Heraklion"]
[Date "2007.11.06"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B88"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2787"]
[PlyCount "151"]
[EventDate "2007.10.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 121"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2007.11.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Ukraine"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UKR"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. a4 Nc6 7. Bc4 e6 8. O-O
Be7 9. Be3 O-O 10. Kh1 Bd7 11. Qe2 Rc8 12. Rad1 Ne5 13. Bd3 Nfg4 14. Bc1 Qb6
15. Nb3 Bh4 16. a5 Qa7 17. Kg1 f5 18. exf5 exf5 19. h3 Nxd3 20. cxd3 Rfe8 21.
Qf3 Be6 22. Nd2 Ne5 23. Qf4 Bd8 24. Nf3 Bxa5 25. Be3 Qb8 26. Bd4 Ng6 27. Qg5
Ne5 28. Qf4 Nxf3+ 29. Qxf3 Qc7 30. Rde1 Qf7 31. Qf4 Bd7 32. Qxd6 Bc6 33. Qf4
Rcd8 34. Rxe8+ Bxe8 35. Re1 Bc6 36. Re3 Bc7 37. Be5 Bxe5 38. Rxe5 Rf8 39. d4
Qf6 40. d5 Bd7 41. Re1 Rc8 42. d6 Rc6 43. Rd1 Kh8 44. Rd4 h6 45. Qd2 Qe5 46. f4
Qe6 47. Kh2 Kh7 48. Nd5 a5 49. Ne3 Rc5 50. Nc2 Bc6 51. Ne3 Bd7 52. Nc2 Bc6 53.
b4 axb4 54. Nxb4 Bd7 55. Nd3 Rb5 56. Ne5 Rxe5 57. fxe5 Qxe5+ 58. Kh1 b5 59. Qd1
Kg6 60. Rd5 Qe4 61. Rd4 Qe5 62. Rd2 b4 63. Rd5 Qe6 64. Rd3 Kh7 65. Rd4 b3 66.
Rb4 Bc6 67. Rb6 Ba4 68. Qd4 Bd7 69. Kh2 h5 70. h4 Be8 71. Qf4 Qd5 72. Qg3 Ba4
73. Rb4 Qc5 74. Rxa4 b2 75. Qd3 Qe5+ 76. Kh3 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2008.01.22"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B87"]
[WhiteElo "2726"]
[BlackElo "2681"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2008.01.12"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 122"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.01.30"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bb3 b5 8. O-O
Be7 9. Qf3 Qc7 10. Qg3 O-O 11. Bh6 Ne8 12. Kh1 Kh8 13. Bg5 Bxg5 14. Qxg5 Nf6
15. f3 Bd7 16. Rfd1 Nc6 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 18. a3 Rab8 19. Rd4 Rfc8 20. Rad1 h6 21.
Qd2 Ne8 22. Ne2 a5 23. c3 Nf6 24. Qe3 Rd8 25. Ng3 Rd7 26. h3 Qa7 27. Qe1 Rbd8
28. R4d2 Qc5 29. Ne2 Qe5 30. Rd4 g5 31. c4 bxc4 32. Bxc4 Nh5 33. Qc3 Bb7 34.
Bb5 Rc8 35. Qxa5 Rc2 36. R4d2 Rdc7 37. Qb4 Kg7 38. Qd4 Kf6 39. Kg1 d5 40. exd5
Bxd5 41. Qxe5+ Kxe5 42. Nc3 Rxd2 43. Rxd2 Nf4 44. g3 Nxh3+ 45. Kh2 g4 46. f4+
Kd6 47. Be2 1-0

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.04.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Cheparinov, Ivan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B52"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[Annotator "Kritz,L"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ {Damit weicht Weiß den langen scharfen Varianten
aus und bekommt ein angenehmes, relativ risikofreies Spiel.} Bd7 {Das ist
unumstritten der Hauptzug, wenn Weiß das Läuferschach gibt. Andere
Alternativen bieten Weiß gute Chancen auf Eröffnungsvorteil.} (3... Nd7 4. d4
Ngf6 (4... cxd4 5. Qxd4 a6 6. Bxd7+ Bxd7 7. Nc3 Nf6 8. Bg5 $14 {Die weiße
Dominanz im Zentrum ist deutlich.}) 5. Nc3 cxd4 (5... a6 6. Bxd7+ Nxd7 7. O-O
e6 8. Bg5 Qc7 9. d5 e5 10. a4 $14 {Weiß hat Raumvorteil und
Entwicklungsvorsprung.}) 6. Qxd4 e5 7. Qd3 h6 8. Be3 $14 {Mit dem schwachen
d6-Bauern und dem Feld d5 hat Schwarz viele Probleme am Hals.}) (3... Nc6 {
ist solider als 3....Nd7, aber weniger populär als der Partiezug.} 4. O-O (4.
Bxc6+ $5 bxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. d3 e5 7. Nbd2 Be7 8. h3 Bh5 9. c3 Nf6 $132 {
Die Stellung ist gut spielbar für beide Seiten, Weiß hat keine bessere Chancen.
}) 4... Bd7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. c3 a6 7. Bf1 (7. Ba4 b5 8. Bc2 Bg4 $11) 7... Bg4 8.
h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 g6 10. Qd1 Bh6 $1 $132 {Mit dem letzten Zug hat Schwarz 11.d4
verhindert. Die Chancen der beiden Seiten sind ungefähr gleich, doch auf Dauer
hat Weiß etwas bessere Perspektiven aufgrund des Läuferpaars und des höheren
Potenzials im Zentrum.}) 4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 ({Ebenfalls möglich ist} 4... Nxd7 5.
O-O Ngf6 6. Qe2 e6 7. b3 (7. c3 Be7 8. d4 O-O $11) 7... Be7 8. Bb2 O-O 9. c4 a6
10. d4 cxd4 11. Nxd4 Qa5 12. Nc3 $14 {Die entstandene Igelstellung ist etwas
besser für Weiß, weil Schwarz keinen Druck gegen die Bauern c4 und e4 aufbauen
kann. Weiß seinerseits wird sein Spiel im Zentrum gegen den Bauern d6 immer
haben.}) 5. c4 ({Es ist wichtig zu wissen, dass in solchen Stellungen der Zug} 
5. d4 $2 {ein grober strategischer Fehler ist. Durch die Abwesenheit der
weißfeldrigen Läufer ist das weiße Angriffspotential wesentlich gesunken, auf
der anderen Seite hat Schwarz das Feld c4 für seine Figuren zur Verfügung. Zum
Beispiel:} cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nf6 7. Nc3 g6 8. O-O Bg7 9. Bg5 Nc6 10. Nb3 O-O 11. Qd2
Ne5 $36) (5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4 $5 {Das Bauernopfer ist interessant, aber
auch nicht mehr. Bei richtiger Verteidigung kann sich Schwarz gut verteidigen.
Die weiße Kompensation reicht nicht aus, um einen Vorteil zu erzielen.} (7. Re1
e6 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 d5 10. e5 Ne4 $11) 7... Nxe4 8. d5 Ne5 9. Re1 (9. Nxe5
dxe5 10. Re1 Nf6 11. Rxe5 e6 12. c4 Bd6 13. Re1 O-O-O $11 {Es ist klar zu
sehen, dass Schwarz keinerlei Probleme hat.}) 9... Nxf3+ 10. Qxf3 Nf6 11. c4 (
11. Bg5 Qg4 $1 $15) 11... e5 12. dxe6 fxe6 13. Bg5 Be7 14. Nc3 h6 15. Bh4 O-O
16. Qh3 Kf7 17. f4 $44 {Adams - Anand (Groningen, 1997)}) 5... Nf6 (5... Nc6 6.
Nc3 g6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. Nde2 (9. Be3 Nf6 10. h3 O-O 11. O-O {führt
zur Partie.}) 9... Nf6 10. O-O O-O 11. f3 a6 12. a4 e6 13. Bg5 Qc7 $132 {
Weiß hat zwar einen Raumvorteil, aber dafür doch einige Schwachpunkte in der
Stellung, das Feld b4 und der Bauer c4 sind zwei der wichtigsten davon. Ich
denke die Stellung befindet sich im dynamischen Gleichgewicht, wie fast alle
Stellungen dieser Variante.}) 6. Nc3 g6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Nxd4 Bg7 9. h3 ({Will
Weiß den Aufbau mit f3 erreichen, muss er genau spielen. Ein Fehltritt wäre
dann z.B. die Rochade:} 9. O-O O-O 10. f3 $6 (10. Be3 Ng4 $1 $36 {/\Nc6,xd4})
10... Rc8 $1 11. b3 d5 $3 {Kaum zu glauben - der schwarze Bauer betritt das
Feld, das unter der totalen weißen Kontrolle ist!} 12. exd5 (12. Nxd5 e6 13.
Nxf6+ Bxf6 14. Be3 Rd8 15. Ne2 Qe7 $17) 12... Nxd5 $3 13. Nxd5 e6 14. Bh6 exd5
15. Bxg7 Kxg7 16. Nb5 (16. cxd5 Qxd5 17. Ne2 Qe5 18. Qd4 Nc6 $11 {Kritz -
Kempinski (Bundesliga, 2005)}) 16... dxc4 17. Nd6 Rd8 18. Nxb7 Qxd1 19. Raxd1
Rxd1 20. Rxd1 cxb3 21. axb3 Nc6 $11) ({Man muss erst} 9. f3 {spielen, um
schnell genug den Gegenangriff von Schwarz zu stoppen:} O-O 10. Be3 Rc8 11. b3
{Hier hat Schwarz keine taktischen Chancen im Zentrum mehr. Trotzdem ist die
Stellung nach} a6 12. a4 Nc6 13. O-O Qd8 {/\Qa5 ziemlich ausgeglichen}) 9...
O-O 10. Be3 (10. O-O Nc6 11. Be3 {führt zur Partie.}) 10... Nc6 11. O-O {
Bereits in dieser Stellung haben sich die Kontrahenten in der Partie Spasov -
Smirin (Plovdiv, 2008) auf Remis geeignet...} Rfd8 {Das ist ein neuer Zug. Mir
scheint es nicht ganz logisch zu sein, den Turm auf die d-Linie bringen zu
wollen. Schließlich macht er auf d8 ziemlich wenig. Vielleicht wollte Schwarz
später mal zu e6-d5 kommen.} (11... Rac8 $5 12. b3 (12. Rc1 Nxd4 $15 {xc4 Hier
sieht man den Vorteil des Zuges 11....Rac8 - Weiß wird gezwungen, 12.b3 zu
spielen.}) 12... a6 13. Rc1 (13. a4 Qd8 $132 {/\Qa5}) 13... b5 $5 14. cxb5 Nxd4
15. Bxd4 axb5 16. Qd3 {Garcia - Delgado (Guayaquil, 2003)} (16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17.
Nd5 Rxc1 18. Qxc1 Rc8 19. Qd2 Qa7 $11) 16... Ra8 $1 $11 {Ich denke nicht, dass
Weiß hier einen Vorteil hat.}) 12. Rc1 Rac8 13. b3 e6 (13... a6 $5 14. Qd3 $5 {
Um das Feld b5 ein Mal mehr unter Kontrolle zu nehmen.} e6 15. Rfd1 Ne5 16. Qe2
Qc7 $132 {/\Qa5 Die Stellung ändert sich kaum von Variante zur Variante, auf
dem Brett ist ein dynamisches Gleichgewicht.}) 14. Qf3 ({Nichts bringt auch} 
14. Nxc6 Qxc6 15. Nb5 (15. Bxa7 b6 $15) 15... Ra8 16. f3 (16. Nxa7 Qxe4 $15)
16... a6 17. Nd4 Qc7 $11) 14... Qe7 15. Rfd1 a6 16. Nxc6 Rxc6 17. Bd4 Rdc8 18.
a4 Nd7 19. Bxg7 Kxg7 {Die Stellung ist absolut gleich. Schwarz hat eine
einzige Schwäche - den Bauern d6, den er gut verteidigen kann. Da drei
Leichtfiguren schon getauscht sind, bringt der kleine Raumvorteil Weiß auch
nichts.} 20. Qe3 Qd8 21. Ne2 Qa5 22. Nd4 Rb6 23. Rc3 Qc5 24. Qe1 Ne5 25. Re3
Nc6 26. Nc2 a5 27. Qc3+ Kg8 28. g3 Nb4 29. Nxb4 Rxb4 30. Qf6 Rb6 31. e5 Re8 32.
h4 d5 33. Rf3 Qe7 34. Qxe7 Rxe7 35. cxd5 exd5 36. Rxd5 Rbe6 37. Rxa5 Rxe5 38.
Rxe5 Rxe5 39. Re3 Rd5 40. Re8+ Kg7 41. Rb8 Rd7 42. Kg2 h5 43. b4 Kf6 44. a5 Ke6
45. b5 Kd6 46. Rc8 Re7 47. b6 Re5 48. a6 1-0

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.04.24"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C06"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2672"]
[Annotator "Postny,E"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. c3 c5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Ngf3 {In this
line White is often ready to ruin his pawn chain for an initiative.} (7. Ne2 {
is more popular and positionally sound line.}) 7... g6 $5 {This is a
relatively rare line. The main continuation is 7...Qb6 attacking the Pd4.} 8.
h4 {The move 7...g6 gave White a target and he reacts accordingly. Both
players have experience in this line.} Qb6 (8... h6 9. Bc2 b5 10. O-O a5 11.
Re1 cxd4 12. cxd4 g5 13. Nf1 g4 14. N3h2 h5 15. g3 Qb6 16. Be3 Bb4 17. Re2 Ba6
18. Rc1 O-O-O 19. f3 gxf3 20. Nxf3 $14 {1-0 Adams,M (2729)-Berg,E (2593)/Crete
2007/CBM 121 (48)}) (8... Be7 9. O-O h6 (9... Bxh4 10. Nxh4 Qxh4 11. Nf3 Qg4
12. Be2 $44 {Gurevich,M}) 10. Re1 cxd4 (10... c4 $5 11. Bc2 Bxh4 12. Nxh4 Qxh4
$13 {Navara}) 11. cxd4 Bxh4 12. Nxh4 Qxh4 13. Nf3 Qe7 14. Be3 Nb6 15. Rc1 Bd7
16. a3 O-O-O 17. b4 Kb8 18. Bd2 $1 {[%cal Gb4b5]} a6 19. b5 axb5 20. Bxb5 $36 {
1/2-1/2 Navara,D (2602)-Gurevich,M (2672)/Antalya 2004/CBM 101/[Gurevich,M] 
(75)}) 9. dxc5 $6 {In my opinion, this move is not in the spirit of the
position. 9.h5 is more consistent.} (9. h5 g5 $1 {Black must not open the
h-file.} 10. Nxg5 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qxd4 (11... Nxd4 12. Ndf3 Nxf3+ 13. Nxf3 h6 14.
O-O Qb4 15. Be3 Nc5 16. Nd4 Nxd3 17. Qxd3 Bd7 18. b3 Bg7 19. f4 $14 {1-0
Smirin,I (2691)-Gurevich,M (2688)/Dos Hermanas 2001/CBM 083 (55)}) 12. Ndf3
Qb4+ 13. Bd2 Qxb2 14. Bxh7 Ndxe5 15. Rb1 Qxa2 (15... Qa3 $5 {might be an
improvement.}) 16. Nxe5 Nxe5 17. Bc3 Bg7 18. O-O Qc4 19. h6 Bf6 20. Bxe5 Bxe5
21. Qh5 Rxh7 22. Nxh7 Bf4 23. Nf6+ Ke7 24. h7 {1-0 Babaev,R (2468)-Medghoul,S 
(2231)/Cappelle La Grande FRA 2008/The Week in Chess 694}) 9... Qc7 $1 {
Correct. The Pe5 is more important to capture.} (9... Bxc5 10. Qe2 Qc7 11. Nb3
Bb6 12. Bf4 f6 13. O-O-O Ndxe5 14. Kb1 {[%cal Gh1e1] with a strong initiative
for the pawn.}) 10. Nb3 Ndxe5 11. Nxe5 (11. h5 Bg7 (11... Nxf3+ $6 12. Qxf3 Ne5
13. Bb5+ Bd7 14. Bxd7+ {and Black has to recapture with the king to avoid the
worst.}) 12. Bc2 O-O 13. Qe2 b6 {Black is okay in this case as well. White is
not able to increase pressure along the h-file.}) 11... Nxe5 12. O-O Nxd3 (
12... Bxc5 $6 13. Nxc5 Qxc5 14. Be3 {is not recommended for Black. The weak
dark squares in his camp are worth more than a pawn.}) 13. Qxd3 Bg7 14. h5 O-O
{Black should be satisfied with the results of the opening. He has pair of
bishops and potentially strong pawns in the centre. Meanwhile, White's
benefits are not so clear.} 15. Bg5 b6 {Opening space for the light-squared
bishop.} 16. h6 $1 {This annoying pawn gives White some attacking chances in
the long run.} Bh8 17. cxb6 axb6 18. Rfe1 Bb7 {Protecting Pd5 in order to be
able to push forward the e-pawn.} 19. Nd4 e5 20. Nb5 Qc6 21. a4 f6 (21... d4
22. f3 e4 23. Qxe4 (23. fxe4 $6 Qc5 {[%csl Rg5][%cal Gd4c3]}) 23... Qxe4 24.
fxe4 dxc3 25. Nxc3 Rfe8 $11) 22. Bd2 f5 23. f4 $1 {White's only play is all
around the dark squares.} d4 24. Qf1 dxc3 $6 {This helps White to activate his
bishop.} (24... exf4 25. Nxd4 Bxd4+ 26. cxd4 g5 $15 {[%csl Rh6][%cal Gc6h6]})
25. Bxc3 exf4 26. Bxh8 Kxh8 {[%csl Gh6,Rh8]} 27. Rac1 {After the exchange of
dark-squared bishops Black's monarch is in danger.} Qf6 28. Qxf4 Qxb2 29. Qe5+
$1 {Eliminating the key defender.} (29. Re2 Qf6 30. Rc7 Bd5 {and White has no
real threats.}) 29... Qxe5 30. Rxe5 {Objectively, Black's position is still
okay. However, it was obviously difficult for Navara to handle this position
in time trouble. Black has to watch out for both the 8th and 7th ranks.} Rxa4
$2 (30... Rfd8 $1 {preventing the knight moves.} 31. Re7 Bd5 32. Rcc7 Bg8 $11)
31. Nd6 Rd4 (31... Ba8 $1 32. Rc7 Rh4 33. Rf7 Rg8 {Now, White can achieve
either an extra piece, or an exchange, but both endgames should be drawn:} 34.
Ne8 (34. Rg7 Rxh6 35. Rxg8+ Kxg8 36. Re8+ Kg7 37. Rxa8) 34... Bd5 35. Rfe7 Bc4
36. Nf6 Rxh6 37. Nxg8 Bxg8 38. Rb7 g5 39. Rxf5 Rg6) 32. Rc7 (32. Nxb7 $2 Rd7 {
trapping the knight.}) 32... Bd5 (32... Rxd6 $2 33. Ree7 {mating.}) 33. Rd7 Kg8
$2 {The final mistake.} ({It was necessary to sacrifice an exchange:} 33... Bc6
34. Nf7+ Kg8 35. Rxd4 Kxf7 36. Rd6 Rc8 {still keeping reasonable chances for a
draw.}) 34. Re8 (34. Ne8 $1 {was even more devastating, as the mating threat
35.Rg7+ followed by 36.Nf6 Rxf6 37.Re8 mate, is unanswerable.}) 34... Rxe8 35.
Nxe8 Rd1+ 36. Kh2 Bb3 (36... Kf8 37. Nf6 $18) 37. Nf6+ {Ideal coordination
between White's forces.} Kf8 38. Nxh7+ Ke8 39. Nf6+ Kf8 40. h7 {Impressive
play by Mickey Adams!} 1-0

[Event "Baku FIDE GP"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2008.04.30"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B92"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2746"]
[Annotator "Ftacnik,L"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2008.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 124"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.05.28"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. Be3 Be6 10. Qd2 Nbd7 11. a4 Qc7 12. Rfd1 Rac8 13. a5 Rfe8 {Very special
variation with some features of "shadow play". Both sides find it diffcult to
improve the optimal position of their pieces.} 14. h3 h6 15. Qe1 Qb8 16. Bf3
Rc4 (16... b5 17. axb6 Nxb6 18. Rxa6 Nc4 19. Rda1 (19. Bc1 Qb7 20. Ra1 Ra8 $44)
19... Nxb2 20. Na5 $14) 17. Nd2 Rc6 (17... Rb4 $2 18. b3 Qc7 19. Nf1 $16) 18.
Nf1 Rec8 19. Bd2 b6 {Playable alternative to the radical b7-b5 advance.
Svidler insists on the opening of the b-file.} (19... b5 20. axb6 Nxb6 21. Ne3
Nc4 22. Nxc4 Bxc4 23. b3 $14) 20. Ne3 $1 bxa5 (20... b5 21. Ncd5 Bxd5 22. exd5
R6c7 23. Bb4 $14) 21. Ncd5 Bxd5 $2 {[%mdl 16384] This move that positionally
compromises Black's position is not easy to explain. White would have been
able to claim minimal progress after the logical 21...Bd8.} (21... Bd8 22. Bc3
Rc5 $13) 22. exd5 Rc5 (22... Rxc2 23. Nxc2 Rxc2 24. Rxa5 Rxb2 25. Rxa6 $16) 23.
Bxa5 e4 (23... Qxb2 $2 24. Rdb1 Qd4 25. Nf5 $18) 24. Be2 Qxb2 25. Bxa6 (25. c3
Qb7 26. Bb4 Ra8 27. Nf5 Bf8 28. c4 $16) 25... Rb8 26. c3 $1 {Quite possibly
Black has missed some move in his calculations and this is a fair candidate.
Suddenly the queen on b2 is feeling very insecure.} Rxa5 (26... Ne5 27. Bb4 $1
Rc7 28. Nf5 Rxb4 (28... Bf8 29. Rdb1 Qc2 30. Ne3 $18) 29. cxb4 Ng6 30. b5 $18)
27. Rxa5 Qb6 (27... Ne5 28. Nc4 Nxc4 29. Bxc4 Bd8 30. Ra6 $16) 28. Rda1 Nc5 29.
Bf1 {Adams believes, that his rooks are stronger and shows no fear from
Black's one on b8.} (29. Rb5 $5 Qc7 30. Rxb8+ Qxb8 31. Be2 $18) 29... Qd8 30.
Rb5 Rc8 31. Ra7 Nfd7 32. Nf5 Bf8 33. Qe3 Qf6 34. Ng3 (34. Nd4 Ne5 35. Nb3 $18)
34... Qe5 35. Nxe4 $1 {The elimination of pawns is not a problem for White as
his pieces are getting closer to the enemy king.} Nxe4 36. Rxd7 Rxc3 37. Qe2
Qd4 (37... Rc8 38. Rbb7 f5 39. Qb2 $18) 38. Rd8 $1 Rc1 39. Kh2 (39. Kh2 Nd2 40.
Rxf8+ $18) 1-0

[Event "ESP-chT final playoff"]
[Site "Motril"]
[Date "2008.11.02"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Alekseev, Evgeny V"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2715"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2008.11.02"]
[EventType "team-match"]
[EventRounds "3"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 127"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2008.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Linex Magic"]
[BlackTeam "Cajacanarias"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ESP"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ESP"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Qe2 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Qxe5+ Be6
8. Nd4 Qf6 9. Re1 Qxe5 10. Rxe5 Kd7 11. Nxe6 fxe6 12. d3 Be7 13. Nd2 Raf8 14.
Re2 Rf5 15. b3 Bf6 16. Rb1 Ra5 17. a4 b5 18. axb5 cxb5 19. b4 Ra2 20. Nb3 Nb7
21. d4 Rf8 22. Kf1 Be7 23. c3 Ra4 24. Rc2 a5 25. bxa5 Nxa5 26. Nxa5 Rxa5 27.
Bd2 Rfa8 28. Ke2 c6 29. Ra1 Rxa1 30. Bf4 Rb8 31. Bd6 Bxd6 1-0

[Event "Corus"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2009.01.23"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Wang, Yue"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D58"]
[WhiteElo "2739"]
[BlackElo "2712"]
[PlyCount "130"]
[EventDate "2009.01.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 129"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2009.03.25"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 O-O 7. e3 b6 8. Bd3
Bb7 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Qe2 c5 11. Rfd1 Ne4 12. Bxe7 Qxe7 13. cxd5 exd5 14. Rac1
Rac8 15. dxc5 bxc5 16. Ba6 Ndf6 17. Nxe4 Nxe4 18. Nd2 Ng5 19. Qb5 Bxa6 20. Qxa6
Rc7 21. Qa3 Rd8 22. Nb3 Ne6 23. h3 Rc6 24. Rc2 d4 25. exd4 Rcd6 26. d5 Rxd5 27.
Rcd2 Rxd2 28. Rxd2 Nd4 29. Qa6 Rd5 30. Qf1 Re5 31. Rd1 Nxb3 32. axb3 Re2 33.
Rc1 g6 34. g3 Qe4 35. Rc4 Qe6 36. Rc1 Rxb2 37. Rxc5 Qxb3 38. Rc1 a5 39. Qe1 Qf3
40. Ra1 Re2 41. Qf1 Rd2 42. Qe1 Re2 43. Qf1 Rd2 44. Qe1 Qd5 45. Qe3 Rd1+ 46.
Rxd1 Qxd1+ 47. Kh2 a4 48. h4 h5 49. Qe8+ Kg7 50. Qe5+ Kh7 51. Qf4 Qd7 52. g4
hxg4 53. h5 gxh5 54. Qg5 Qd6+ 55. Kg1 a3 56. Qxh5+ Kg7 57. Qa5 g3 58. fxg3
Qxg3+ 59. Kh1 Qf3+ 60. Kg1 Qe3+ 61. Kh1 Qc1+ 62. Kh2 Qc2+ 63. Kh1 a2 64. Qe5+
Kh7 65. Qh5+ Kg8 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-39"]
[Site "Khanty-Mansiysk"]
[Date "2010.09.27"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B06"]
[WhiteElo "2728"]
[BlackElo "2826"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "75"]
[EventDate "2010.09.21"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 139"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2010.11.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Norway"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "NOR"]

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 {#Avoiding question marks, or any other form of
punctuation to evaluate this opening, suffice it to say that the only games of
grandmasters on record, of which there are four, were played by notorious
opening mavericks: Morozevich, Miles, Hodgson, and Hillarp Persson.} 4. Be2 d6
{Both Morozevich and Miles preferred to fianchetto their knight with 4...Ng7
here.} 5. Nf3 Nc6 {Other than the oddly placed knight on h5, the structure and
pieces are identical to an Alekhine defense.} 6. exd6 exd6 7. d5 Ne7 8. c4 Bg7
9. Nc3 O-O 10. O-O Bg4 11. Re1 Re8 12. h3 Bxf3 13. Bxf3 Nf6 14. Bf4 Nd7 15. Rc1
Ne5 16. b3 a6 17. g3 Nf5 18. Bg2 g5 19. Bxe5 Bxe5 20. Ne4 Ng7 21. Qd2 h6 {
#Black is still struggling to find a good plan and while his bishop looks
strong on e5, it won't be able to stay there for long, while the knight on g7
is still seeking a suitable home.} 22. f4 gxf4 23. gxf4 Bf6 24. Kh2 Nh5 (24...
Bh4 25. Rg1 f5 26. Ng3 Bxg3+ 27. Kxg3 Nh5+ 28. Kh2 Kf7) 25. Rg1 Kh7 $6 {
This imprecision could lead to serious trouble due to the myriad of threats
that can be combined on the b1-h7 diagonal.} 26. Rcf1 Rg8 27. Qe2 Ng7 28. Qd3
$6 {Not the most precise.} (28. Nxf6+ $1 {was white's strongest continuation.}
Qxf6 29. Be4+ Kh8 30. Bb1 Qd4 31. Qg4 {Threatening Qh4.} Qf6 (31... Qb2+ 32.
Kh1 Qf6 33. Qf3 Qd4 (33... h5 {With the idea of protecting h7 with Qh6.} 34.
Rg5 Qh6 35. Rfg1 {and black is lost.}) 34. Rd1 Qb2 35. Rg2 Qf6 36. Qe4) 32. Qf3
Ne8 33. Qd3 $18) 28... Kh8 29. Bf3 {#} b5 ({The engines initially suggest} 
29... Bh4 {as an improvement, but deeper analysis shows that it still loses
after} 30. Qd4 Qe7 {#} (30... Kh7 31. Ng5+ $1 hxg5 32. fxg5 Bxg5 33. Be4+ f5
34. Bxf5+ Nxf5 35. Rxf5 Rg6 36. Qg4) 31. Rg4 $1 f5 32. Rg6 $1 Kh7 33. Rfg1 Rae8
(33... fxe4 34. Bxe4) 34. c5 $1 {The knight cannot be touched, and as a result,
black is now overwhelmed.} dxc5 (34... fxe4 35. Bxe4 {leads to mate.} Qxe4 36.
Rxg7+) 35. Qb2 Ref8 36. d6 $1 cxd6 37. Qg2 Qf7 38. Nxd6 {This is the point of
the double pawn push. Without it, black could still defend against the Qb2-Qg2
maneuver, which threatens Rxh6+ followed by mate. Now the queen can no longer
help and the fort collapses.}) 30. Bd1 bxc4 31. bxc4 Bh4 32. Bc2 f5 33. Rg6 Kh7
34. Rfg1 Qe7 {#} 35. Ng3 $2 (35. c5 $1 {was more expeditious.} Rad8 (35... fxe4
36. Qxe4 Qxe4 37. Bxe4) 36. Qe2 Qf8 37. cxd6 cxd6 38. Nc5 $1 dxc5 39. Qxa6 $18)
35... Bxg3+ $6 (35... Raf8 {would resist longer but still looks grim after} 36.
Qd4 Bxg3+ 37. R1xg3 Qf7 38. Qg1 Nh5 39. Rxg8 Rxg8 40. Rxg8 Qxg8 41. Bxf5+ Kh8
42. Bg4 Nf6 (42... Nxf4 43. Qd4+)) 36. Qxg3 Qf7 (36... Nh5 {loses after} 37.
Qf3 Rxg6 38. Bxf5 Rag8 39. Rxg6 Rxg6 40. Qxh5) 37. Bd1 Rae8 38. Rxh6+ 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1112"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2012.03.17"]
[Round "12.3"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2733"]
[BlackElo "2696"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2011.10.14"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 148"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.05.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nbd2 Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8.
Qxf3 Nd7 9. Qg3 Qf6 10. Nc4 O-O 11. O-O Rfe8 12. a4 Nf8 13. Bg5 Qe6 14. Bd2 Ng6
15. b4 Bf8 16. Qg4 b6 17. g3 f6 18. Bc3 Bd6 19. Ne3 Kh8 20. Kg2 a6 21. Qf3 Ne7
22. h4 b5 23. Rfb1 Qd7 24. h5 h6 25. Qg4 Qxg4 26. Nxg4 Nc8 27. Bd2 Nb6 28. a5
Nd7 29. c4 c5 30. cxb5 axb5 31. bxc5 Nxc5 32. Rxb5 Nxd3 33. Ra4 Ra6 34. Rc4 c5
35. Ne3 Rea8 36. Rc3 Nb4 37. Nc4 Be7 38. Rb3 Nc6 39. Rb6 Nb4 40. Kf3 R6a7 41.
Be3 Kg8 42. Rb2 Rc7 43. Kg4 Kf7 44. Rb1 Nc6 45. R1b5 Nd4 46. Rb1 Nc6 47. R6b5
Nd4 48. Rb7 Rxb7 49. Rxb7 Ke6 50. Bd2 Ra6 51. Bc3 Bf8 52. f4 exf4 53. gxf4 f5+
54. exf5+ Kd5 55. Ne5 Ne2 56. Be1 Bd6 57. Rxg7 Nxf4 58. Nf7 Nd3 59. Nxd6 Nxe1
60. Ne8 Rxa5 61. Rd7+ Kc6 62. Rd6+ Kb5 63. f6 Ra7 64. Re6 Nd3 65. f7 Ra4+ 66.
Kg3 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.08"]
[Round "6.1"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D35"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2734"]
[PlyCount "110"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Czech Republic"]
[BlackTeam "England"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "CZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ENG"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Qc2 c6 7. h3 a5 8. Bf4
g6 9. e3 Bf5 10. Qd1 Nbd7 11. Be2 Ne4 12. O-O O-O 13. Bh2 Re8 14. Nxe4 Bxe4 15.
Ne1 Nb6 16. Bg4 h5 17. Be2 Bd6 18. Bxd6 Qxd6 19. Qb3 Nd7 20. Rc1 Ra7 21. Nd3
Bxd3 22. Bxd3 Kg7 23. Rc2 a4 24. Qc3 Nf6 25. Rb1 Qe7 26. Qc5 Qxc5 27. Rxc5 h4
28. Rc3 Rea8 29. Ra3 Ne8 30. Kf1 f5 31. Ke2 Kf6 32. Kd2 Nd6 33. Kc3 Ra5 34. Kb4
Nb5 35. Bxb5 Rxb5+ 36. Kc3 Rba5 37. Kd3 b6 38. Rc3 c5 39. dxc5 bxc5 40. Rbc1
Rc8 41. b3 axb3 42. axb3 Ke5 43. Ke2 g5 44. R1c2 Rb5 45. Ra2 Rcb8 46. Ra3 d4
47. Rd3 g4 48. exd4+ cxd4 49. g3 gxh3 50. gxh4 h2 51. Rh3 d3+ 52. Kd2 Rxb3 53.
Rxb3 Rxb3 54. h5 Rb2+ 55. Kc3 d2 0-1

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 18th"]
[Site "Porto Carras"]
[Date "2011.11.11"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Ivanchuk, Vassily"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B85"]
[WhiteElo "2734"]
[BlackElo "2775"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2011.11.03"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GRE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 146"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.01.18"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Ukraine"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "UKR"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. Be3
O-O 9. f4 Nc6 10. Kh1 Bd7 11. a4 Rc8 12. Qe1 d5 13. e5 Ne4 14. Nxe4 dxe4 15. c3
Nxd4 16. Bxd4 Bc5 17. Bxc5 Rxc5 18. b4 Rc8 19. Rd1 Qc7 20. b5 axb5 21. axb5
Rfd8 22. c4 Be8 23. Qf2 f6 24. exf6 gxf6 25. Rxd8 Rxd8 26. c5 f5 27. Bc4 Bf7
28. h3 Rc8 29. c6 bxc6 30. b6 Qe7 31. Qb2 Rb8 32. Ra1 Qc5 33. b7 Qxc4 34. Qe5
Rxb7 35. Ra8+ Be8 36. Rxe8+ Kf7 37. Rh8 Qb5 38. Qd6 Qb4 39. Qd8 Qb2 40. Rf8+
Kg7 41. Rg8+ 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-40"]
[Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.08.30"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "TUR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Cuba"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CUB"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. c3 Ngf6 5. Qe2 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. O-O
g6 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bg7 11. Nc3 Rc8 12. a3 O-O 13. Rd1 Nb6 14. Bd3 Re8 15.
a4 b4 16. Nb1 a5 17. Nbd2 e6 18. Nb3 Ra8 19. Bg5 Qd7 20. Bxf6 Bxf6 21. Bb5 Bc6
22. e5 Bg7 23. exd6 Qxd6 24. Ne5 Bxb5 25. Qxb5 Nd5 26. Nc6 Bh6 27. Ncxa5 Qc7
28. Nc6 Rec8 29. Ne5 Bf4 30. Qe2 Bxe5 31. dxe5 Qc2 32. Qxc2 Rxc2 33. Rd2 Rc4
34. g3 g5 35. Nd4 Nc3 36. bxc3 bxc3 37. Rd3 Rd8 38. Rad1 Rxa4 39. Ne2 Rxd3 40.
Rxd3 c2 41. Rc3 Re4 42. Rxc2 Rxe5 43. Kg2 Rd5 44. g4 h5 45. gxh5 Kg7 46. Rc7
Rd8 47. h3 Rd5 48. Kg3 Rd1 49. f3 Ra1 50. Rd7 Ra5 51. Nd4 Ra6 52. Nb5 1-0

[Event "London FIDE GP 1st"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.10.01"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B19"]
[WhiteElo "2722"]
[BlackElo "2783"]
[Annotator "Erenburg,S"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2012.09.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 151"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2012.11.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5
Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 e6 11. Bd2 Ngf6 12. O-O-O Qc7 {A very flexible move.
Black keeps all the options open. Depending on what White is going to do,
Black can either castle short or long, or even leave the king in the centre
and carry out the c6-c5 counter-strike in the centre.} 13. Ne4 Be7 14. Kb1 {
White is making a good prophylactic move and waiting for targets to be
clarified.} Rd8 {Now it's clear that Black is going to castle short, sooner or
later. All this is theory, but Black's last move is considered to be a bit off
the mainstream.} 15. Nxf6+ Nxf6 16. Qe2 {White is prepared to push the g-pawn
forward. Black won't be able to capture it, as after Rg1, f5 won't be playable,
since the e6-pawn is under attack.} c5 {This line had a good reputation before
this game. However, the guru of Caro-Kann continued} (16... Qb6 {and equalised
after} 17. Bc1 Qb5 {That's the idea! The Black is transferring his queen to
the kingside.} 18. c4 Qf5+ 19. Ka1 Nxh5 (19... O-O 20. Ne5 c5 21. f3 $1 Rxd4
22. g4 Qh7 23. Be3 $44) 20. Ne5 (20. d5 $1 {[%cal Yf3d4]} Nf6 21. dxc6 bxc6 22.
Ne5 Qe4 23. Qxe4 Nxe4 24. f3 $14) 20... Nf4 21. Qe3 Ng6 22. g4 Qf6 23. f4 {
1/2-1/2 Vallejo Pons,F (2677)-Dreev,A (2705)/Albox 2005/CBM 106 ext} (23. f4
Nxe5 24. dxe5 Qg6 25. Rxd8+ Bxd8 26. Qa3 Qe4 $1 $11)) 17. dxc5 Qxc5 {Black
preferred to take on c5 with the queen, leaving the bishop on e7, from where
it covers some important dark squares.} ({It seems too risky to castle right
now:} 17... O-O 18. g4 $1 Qxc5 19. g5 hxg5 20. h6 g6 21. Nxg5 $36 {1-0
Aveskulov,V (2532)-Harutjunyan,G (2423)/Kharkov 2008/CBM 123 Extra (62)}) (
17... Bxc5 18. Ne5 (18. Bc3 $5) 18... O-O 19. g4 Bd4 (19... Rd4 $5 {[%cal
Yd4e4,Yf8d8]}) 20. Nd3 Rd5 21. Rhg1 Rc8 $2 (21... Qc4 $1) 22. c3 Bc5 23. g5 $40
{1-0 Xie Jun (2569)-Kachiani Gersinska,K (2441)/Mallorca 2004/CBM 102 ext (43)}
) 18. Ne5 (18. g4 {is met by} Nxg4 19. Rhg1 (19. Rdg1 Qxf2 20. Qe4 (20. Qb5+
Rd7) 20... f5 21. Qxe6 Qxf3 22. Bb4 Rd7 23. Bxe7 Qd5 24. Qg6+ Qf7 $15) 19...
Qxh5 {and Black seems to be fine.} (19... Qxf2 20. Qb5+)) 18... Rd4 {Black is
trying to undermine White's superiority in the centre.} ({The more natural
move does not seem to make a significant difference:} 18... O-O 19. f4 (19. g4
Rd4 $1) 19... b5 (19... Qb6 20. g4) 20. g4 Rd5 21. Rhe1 (21. g5 $5 hxg5 22. Ng6
$1 Rfd8 23. fxg5 Ne4 24. Nxe7+ Qxe7 25. Qxe4 Rxd2 26. Rxd2 Rxd2 27. g6 $14)
21... Rc8 22. c3 Rcd8 $6 (22... Bd6 $142) 23. g5 hxg5 24. fxg5 Ne4 25. Qxe4
Rxd2 26. Rxd2 Rxd2 27. g6 $18 {1/2-1/2 Mamedov,N (2392)-Maherramzade,J (2459)/
Baku 2001/EXT 2002 (33)}) {It makes sense to leave the knight in the centre
and continue building up the attack on the kingside.} 19. f4 $1 $146 ({In the
preceding game, White got nothing after} 19. Nd3 Qb5 20. Bc3 Ra4 21. b3 O-O
$132 {1/2-1/2 Hou,Y (2513)-Kachiani Gersinska,K (2375)/Ekaterinburg 2007/CBM
118 ext (22)}) 19... O-O {Black is about to double his rook along the d-file,
which would stop White's attack. But Adams had other plans...} 20. c3 $1 {
Driving away the rook from the active position.} Ra4 $4 {Although Black did
not blunder anything, he created disharmony in his position. I think that the
rook had to be kept on the d-file.} ({Although after} 20... Rd5 {I was not
able to find the way to equalise for Black, his position is still solid:} 21.
g4 Bd6 (21... Rfd8 22. g5 hxg5 23. h6 $1 gxh6 24. Rxh6 {[%cal Ye2h2]} Rxd2 25.
Rxd2 Qg1+ 26. Kc2 Rxd2+ 27. Qxd2 Nd5 28. Nf3 $1 Qg4 29. Qd3 Qf5 30. Qxf5 Ne3+
31. Kd3 Nxf5 32. Rh2 gxf4 33. Rd2 $14 {[%cal Yd3e4]}) 22. c4 Rd4 23. Bc3 $1
Bxe5 (23... Rxf4 24. Nd3) 24. fxe5 Rxd1+ 25. Rxd1 Nh7 26. b3 Ng5 27. Kb2 $14 (
27. Rd7 b5)) (20... Re4 21. Qf3 Rd8 22. g4 $36) 21. c4 $1 {Not only is Black's
rook out of the game, White is going to place his bishop on the long diagonal
and take control over the only open file. I think that Nakamura did not
realise that he has no way to create any threats on the queenside when he
played 20...Ra4.} Bd6 {In bad position, all the moves are bad. Black is trying
to trade some of White's active pieces. The problem is that there are way too
many of them...} ({Unfortunately for Nakamura, Black fails to create any kind
of counterplay here:} 21... b5 22. Be3 $1 Qc7 23. b3 Ra5 (23... Ra3 24. cxb5
Nd5 25. Bd4 $18 {[%cal Ye5c4]}) 24. cxb5 Nd5 25. Rxd5 exd5 26. Rc1 $16 {
[%cal Ya2a4]}) 22. Bc3 $16 {/+-. White completely dominates the board and
Black has no counterplay whatsoever. Now White is in ideal position to proceed
with the attack on the kingside by pushing his g-pawn forward. I suspect that
by not giving White a decisive advantage, I'm being unfair to Adams, since I
could not come up with any serious improvement for Nakamura's play...} Bxe5 (
22... Qc7 {would not change anything, since after} 23. b3 Ra6 24. g4 $40 {
White's attack is unlikely to be parried.}) (22... b5 23. b3 Ra3 (23... Ra6 24.
Bd4 $18) 24. Bd4 $18) 23. fxe5 Nh7 24. b3 Ra6 25. Rd7 {Yes, Black did get to
stop the attack, but at what cost? Black's pieces are completely uncoordinated,
White controls the only open file and is ready to turn his positional
advantage into a material one.} Ng5 26. Rhd1 Rb8 $2 {A blunder in a lost
position, which facilitates White's job.} ({The last practical chance was} 
26... b5 27. Bd4 Qc6 28. cxb5 Qxd7 29. Bc5 $18) 27. Rd8+ Rxd8 28. Rxd8+ Kh7 29.
Qc2+ $18 {White wins with the direct attack on the black monarch.} g6 30. Rd7
Kg8 31. hxg6 Kg7 32. gxf7 Nxf7 33. Qe2 Kg8 34. Qf3 Qf8 35. Rxb7 Qg7 36. Kb2 1-0

[Event "BCF-chT 1213 (4NCL)"]
[Site "England"]
[Date "2013.05.06"]
[Round "11.112"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Fressinet, Laurent"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C47"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[PlyCount "137"]
[EventDate "2012.11.03"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[SourceTitle "EXT 2014"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.20"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Wood Green Hilsmark"]
[BlackTeam "Guildford"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ENG"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8.
exd5 cxd5 9. O-O O-O 10. h3 Re8 11. Qf3 Rb8 12. Bg5 Bb7 13. Nb5 Be7 14. Rae1 d4
15. Qf5 Ne4 16. Bxe4 g6 17. Bxe7 Rxe7 18. Qc5 Rxe4 19. b3 Rh4 20. Qxc7 Rh5 21.
Qxd8+ Rxd8 22. a4 Ba6 23. Re7 Bxb5 24. axb5 Rxb5 25. Rxa7 Rc8 26. Ra2 d3 27.
cxd3 Rxb3 28. Rd1 Rd8 29. d4 Rd5 30. g3 h5 31. h4 Kg7 32. Kg2 Kf6 33. Rc2 Rb4
34. Rcd2 Kf5 35. Rd3 Kf6 36. R1d2 Ke7 37. Kf3 Rf5+ 38. Ke4 Kd6 39. Ra3 Re5+ 40.
Kd3 Reb5 41. Ra7 Rb7 42. Rxb7 Rxb7 43. Ke4 Re7+ 44. Kf4 f6 45. Ra2 Kd5 46. Ra6
Rf7 47. Ke3 Re7+ 48. Kd3 Rf7 49. f3 Rf8 50. Ke3 Re8+ 51. Kf4 Rf8 52. Ra7 Kxd4
53. Rd7+ Kc4 54. Rg7 g5+ 55. hxg5 fxg5+ 56. Kxg5 Rxf3 57. Kxh5 Kd5 58. g4 Ke6
59. g5 Rh3+ 60. Kg6 Rh8 61. Ra7 Rh1 62. Kg7 Rg1 63. g6 Rg2 64. Rf7 Rg1 65. Rf2
Ra1 66. Kg8 Ke7 67. g7 Rh1 68. Rf7+ Ke8 69. Rf4 1-0

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.03"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Polgar, Judit"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2705"]
[Annotator "Adams,M"]
[PlyCount "71"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 {Fianchettoing the bishop isn't normally a critical
strategy in the Sicilian but this particular line is quite tricky, and has
experienced a surge in popularity recently. Das Fianchettieren des Läufers ist
im Sizilianer normalerweise keine kritische Strategie, aber dieses spezielle
Abspiel ist recht trickreich und hat in letzter Zeit einen Anstieg an
Popularität erlebt.} Nc6 4. Bg2 Nf6 ({The other option is the logical Die
andere Option ist das logische} 4... d5) 5. Qe2 d5 6. exd5 ({White can also
continue in King's Indian Attack style with Weiß kann auch im Stil des
Königsindischen Angriffs fortsetzen mit} 6. d3 {or the immediate oder dem
sofortigen}) (6. e5 {but I had another plan in mind. , aber mir schwebte ein
anderer Plan vor.}) 6... Nxd5 7. O-O Be7 8. Rd1 {This is the idea, I want to
open the centre when my light squared bishop will keep a close eye on Black's
queenside. Dies ist die Idee, ich will das Zentrum öffnen, wonach mein
weißfeldriger Läufer den schwarzen Damenflügel genau im Auge behalten wird.}
O-O $6 ({From both a practical and objective point of view, it was wise to try
and impede my plan, as now the play becomes very one-sided. I had mainly
analysed Sowohl in praktischer als auch objektiver Hinsicht war es klug zu
versuchen, meinen Plan zu verhindern, denn nun wird das Spiel sehr einseitig.
In meiner Vorbereitung hatte ich vor allem} 8... Nd4 $1 9. Nxd4 cxd4 10. c4 {
in my preparation. After the knight moves away White will have a very
comfortable Benoni but it's unclear if this is enough for an advantage.
analysiert. Nachdem der Springer wegzieht, wird Weiß einen sehr bequemen
Benoni haben, aber es ist unklar, ob dies zu einem Vorteil reicht.}) ({Another
possibility is Eine weitere Möglichkeit ist} 8... Qb6 $5) 9. d4 cxd4 10. Nxd4
Nxd4 ({The alternative was Die Alternative war} 10... Qb6 {however after doch
nach} 11. Nf3 $1 {planning c4 I still like White's position. mit dem Plan c4
gefällt mir die Stellung von Weiß nach wie vor.} (11. Nxc6 $6 bxc6 12. c4 Ba6 {
is fine for Black. White can't continue ist in Ordnung für Schwarz. Weiß kann
nicht} 13. b3 $2 {due to fortsetzen wegen} Bf6 14. Bb2 Bxc4)) 11. Rxd4 Bf6 12.
Rd1 Qc7 13. c4 Nb4 ({During the game I thought the best try was Während der
Partie erachtete ich} 13... Nb6 $1 {als besten Versuch:} 14. Na3 (14. Nd2 $5)
14... Bd7 {planning ...Bc6 planend ...Bc6} 15. Bf4 Qc8 16. Nb5 e5 17. Nd6 Bg4 {
confusing the issue and creating some counter chances. , was Verwirrung
stiftet und einige Gegenchancen schafft.}) 14. Nc3 a6 ({I was expecting Ich
erwartete} 14... Bxc3 {but this allows me to play several moves with tempo ,
aber das erlaubt mir, mehrere Züge mit Tempo zu spielen.} 15. bxc3 Nc6 16. Ba3
Re8 ({After Nach} 16... Rd8 {back rank issues arise ergeben sich
Grundlinienfragen.} 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Qe5 Qb6 19. c5 ({During the game I was
calculating Während der Partie berechnete ich} 19. Bc5 Qa5 20. Bxa7 {but there
are several inaccuracies in this line. , aber dieses Abspiel enthält mehrere
Ungenauigkeiten.} ({wobei eine signifikante Verbesserung} 20. Be7 {being one
significant improvement. ist.})) 19... Qa5 20. Bb4 {is very strong ist sehr
stark.}) 17. Bd6 Qa5 18. Qb2 {and it's very hard for Black to complete
development. und es ist für Schwarz sehr schwierig die Entwicklung zu beenden.}
) 15. Bf4 {Forcing the e-pawn forward where it both blocks Black's bishop and
allows me access to the d5-square. Zwingt den e-Bauern vorwärts, wo er den
schwarzen Läufer blockiert und mir außerdem Zugang zu dem Feld d5 erlaubt.} e5
16. Be3 Be6 (16... Bf5 17. a3 Nc2 18. Nd5 Qd8 19. Bb6 {is also unappetising.
ist ebenfalls unappetitlich.}) 17. Nd5 Nxd5 ({If Falls} 17... Bxd5 18. cxd5 {
there is no time to save the knight and blockade the d-pawn. , so ist keine
Zeit, den Springer zu retten und den d-Bauern zu blockieren.}) 18. cxd5 ({
White retains some pressure after Weiß behauptet einigen Druck nach} 18. Bxd5 {
but this is much more dynamic. , aber dies ist viel dynamischer.}) 18... Bf5
19. d6 ({There is some logic to playing Es hat eine gewisse Logik, vor dem
Vorrücken des Bauern} 19. g4 {before advancing the pawn einzuschalten,} Bg6 20.
d6 {but I learnt from some unfortunate previous experiences that when playing
Judit it is desirable to keep your king as well protected as possible. , aber
ich habe aus einigen unglücklichen früheren Erlebnissen gelernt, dass es, wenn
man gegen Judit spielt, wünschenswert ist, seinen König möglichst gut
geschützt zu halten.}) 19... Qd7 20. Bb6 $1 {The key move preparing Rac1 or
Bc7. Der Schlüsselzug, der Rac1 oder Bc7 vorbereitet.} Rac8 ({It's important
that the move Black would like to play Wichtig ist, dass der Zug, den Schwarz
gerne spielen würde,} 20... Bd8 {simply loses a pawn. , einfach einen Bauern
verliert -} 21. Bxd8 Raxd8 22. Qxe5) (20... e4 {also doesn't work due to:
funktioniert ebenfalls nicht wegen} 21. Bxe4 Rfe8 22. Bxf5) ({After Nach} 20...
h5 21. Rac1 {it's hard to give Black good advice. fällt es schwer, Schwarz
einen guten Rat zu erteilen.}) 21. Bc7 Bg4 (21... Rxc7 22. dxc7 Qxc7 {doesn't
look very hopeful. stimmt nicht sehr hoffnungsfroh.}) 22. Bf3 h5 23. Rac1 Rfe8
({Auf} 23... Bg5 {is met by the strong folgt das starke} 24. Rc5 $1 {; the
rook does good work along the fifth rank. ; der Turm leistet auf der fünften
Reihe gute Arbeit.}) 24. Bxg4 hxg4 25. Qe4 $1 {Simple but effective, now pawns
start dropping off. Einfach, aber wirksam, jetzt beginnen die Bauern zu fallen.
} Bg5 (25... b5 26. Qc6 Red8 27. Qxa6 {is no better. ist nicht besser.}) 26.
Rc5 {Again the best post for the rook. Wieder der beste Posten für den Turm.}
Bd8 ({If Falls} 26... f5 27. Qxb7 e4 $2 28. Qd5+) 27. Qxb7 Re6 ({I was hoping
for the pretty finish Ich hoffte auf das hübsche Finale} 27... e4 $2 28. Qxc8
$1 Qxc8 29. d7) 28. Rdd5 ({The casual Das sorglose} 28. Qxa6 $6 Rxc7 29. dxc7
Qxd1+ 30. Qf1 Qxf1+ 31. Kxf1 Bxc7 32. Rxc7 {gives some fighting chances gibt
ein paar Kampfchancen.}) ({but the retreat aber der Rückzug} 28. Rcc1 {with
the same idea of allowing the rooks to defend each other was also good. mit
der gleichen Idee, die Türme sich gegenseitig decken zu lassen, war ebenfalls
gut.}) 28... Rf6 ({The best try was Der beste Versuch war} 28... e4 29. Qc6
Qxc6 30. Rxc6 Bxc7 {although White should win this ending without many
problems. I thought , obwohl Weiß dieses Endspiel ohne viele Probleme gewinnen
sollte. Ich dachte, dass} 31. Rc4 {might be the most efficient here. hier
vielleicht am wirksamsten wäre.}) 29. Qxa6 $1 {Collecting material and
regrouping with the queen to prevent any counterplay. Sammelt Material ein und
gruppiert die Dame um, damit jegliches Gegenspiel verhindert wird.} Qf5 30. Qe2
Qb1+ 31. Rd1 Qxa2 32. Rxe5 (32. Qxg4 Qxb2 {is less clear-cut. ist weniger klar.
}) 32... Bxc7 33. Re8+ Rxe8 ({After Nach} 33... Kh7 34. dxc7 (34. Rxc8 {
also wins gewinnt auch.}) 34... Rxc7 35. Qe4+ g6 ({or oder} 35... Rg6 36. Rdd8)
36. Qxg4 {the attack is decisive. ist der Angriff entscheidend.}) 34. Qxe8+ Kh7
35. dxc7 Qa7 ({There is no perpetual after Es gibt kein Dauerschach nach} 35...
Qxb2 36. Rf1 Rxf2 37. Rxf2 Qb1+ 38. Kg2 Qb7+ 39. Kf1) 36. Qe4+ (36. Qe4+ {
Black resigned as Schwarz gab auf, denn} g6 37. Qc2 {wins easily. gewinnt
leicht.}) 1-0

[Event "London Classic 4th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2012.12.07"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A29"]
[WhiteElo "2775"]
[BlackElo "2710"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "2012.12.01"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 152"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Bg7 7. Bg2 O-O 8.
O-O Re8 9. Nc2 d6 10. Bd2 a6 11. Rc1 Ne5 12. b3 c6 13. Be3 Nfg4 14. Bd4 c5 15.
Bxe5 Bxe5 16. Nd5 Rb8 17. h3 Nf6 18. Nce3 Nxd5 19. Nxd5 Qa5 20. Rc2 Bf5 21. Qd2
Qd8 22. Rcc1 b5 23. cxb5 axb5 24. Rfd1 h5 25. h4 Bg4 26. Ne3 Bd7 27. Bf3 Bd4
28. Nd5 b4 29. Rc4 Be5 30. Kg2 Ra8 31. Ne3 Ra7 32. Rcc1 Qe7 33. Nc4 Be6 34. Rc2
Bf5 35. e4 Be6 36. Nxe5 dxe5 37. Qe3 Ra5 38. Be2 Rd8 39. Rxd8+ Qxd8 40. Rxc5
Rxa2 41. Bc4 Qd1 42. Qh6 Bh3+ 0-1

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 1st"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2013.02.16"]
[Round "9"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E08"]
[WhiteElo "2757"]
[BlackElo "2725"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2013.02.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 153"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Nf3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 c6 7. Qc2 Nbd7 8. O-O
b6 9. Rd1 O-O 10. Bf4 Bb7 11. Ne5 Nh5 12. Bd2 Nhf6 13. cxd5 cxd5 14. Nc6 Bxc6
15. Qxc6 Rc8 16. Qb5 Ne8 17. Qd3 Nd6 18. b3 f5 19. f3 Nb8 20. Nc3 Nc6 21. e3
Bf6 22. Ne2 Qd7 23. Rac1 Rc7 24. Be1 Rfc8 25. g4 a5 26. a3 a4 27. bxa4 Nc4 28.
gxf5 exf5 29. Rb1 Ne7 30. Bb4 Kh8 31. f4 Qe6 32. Bd2 Bh4 33. Rb5 Rc6 34. Rdb1
h6 35. Kh1 Bf2 36. R5b3 Ng8 37. Rf1 Bh4 38. Be1 Bxe1 39. Rxe1 Nf6 40. Ng3 Ne4
41. Nxe4 dxe4 42. Qd1 Qf7 43. Rg1 Kh7 44. Qe1 Ne5 45. Qb1 Ng4 46. h3 Nf2+ 47.
Kh2 Qh5 48. Kg3 Nxh3 49. Bxh3 Rg6+ 50. Kh2 Rxg1 51. Kxg1 Qxh3 52. d5 Rd8 53.
Qf1 Qg4+ 54. Kh2 Rxd5 0-1

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.21"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. Nbd2 Bc5 13. Bc4 Ng4 14. Re2 Na5
15. Bd5 Rb8 16. Nb3 Nxb3 17. cxb3 h6 18. h3 Nf6 19. Nxe5 Nxd5 20. exd5 Rxd5 21.
Bf4 Be6 22. Rc1 Bd6 23. Bg3 Re8 24. Re3 c5 25. Nd3 Bxg3 26. fxg3 Red8 27. Nf4
Rd1+ 28. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 29. Kh2 Rd2 30. Nxe6 fxe6 31. Rxe6 Rxb2 32. Rxa6 Rxb3 33.
Rc6 Rc3 34. a5 Kf7 35. a6 Ke7 36. a7 Ra3 37. Rxc5 Rxa7 38. Rb5 Ra4 39. Rb7+ Kd6
40. Rxg7 Kc5 41. Rc7+ Kd4 42. Rd7+ Kc3 43. Rc7+ Kd3 44. Rb7 Kc3 45. Rc7+ Kb2
46. Rc6 b3 47. Rxh6 Kc3 48. Rb6 b2 49. Rxb2 Kxb2 50. g4 Kc3 51. Kg3 Re4 52. Kh4
Kd4 53. Kg5 Ke5 54. Kg6 Re2 55. g5 Rxg2 56. h4 Kf4 0-1

[Event "Alekhine Memorial"]
[Site "Paris/St Petersburg"]
[Date "2013.04.22"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Svidler, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[WhiteElo "2727"]
[BlackElo "2747"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2013.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "FRA"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 154"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Bb7 10. Re1 Qd7 11. Ne2 Rae8 12. Ng3 Bd8 13. a4 d5 14. axb5 axb5 15.
c3 h6 16. Be3 Re6 17. h3 Be7 18. Nh2 Ra8 19. Rxa8+ Bxa8 20. Qf3 Na5 21. Ra1 Ra6
22. Ng4 Bb7 23. Bxd5 Nxd5 24. exd5 Bxd5 25. Nxe5 Qe6 26. Qf5 Bd6 27. Qxe6 fxe6
28. Nf3 b4 29. Ne4 bxc3 30. bxc3 Bb7 31. Nd4 Bf8 32. c4 c5 33. Nb5 Nb3 34. Rxa6
Bxa6 35. Nbd6 Bxd6 36. Nxd6 Kf8 37. f3 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 41st"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2013.07.27"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[Annotator "Kritz,L"]
[PlyCount "127"]
[EventDate "2013.07.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Bf4 Be7 12. Rad1 Nh4 ({Spielbar ist auch
} 12... Be6 $5 {Nach dem prinzipiellen} 13. Ng5 {gleicht Schwarz forciert aus:}
Bc4 $1 14. Rfe1 Rd8 $1 15. Rxd8+ (15. b3 Ba6 16. Rxd8+ {->15.Rxd8}) 15... Bxd8
16. b3 Ba6 17. e6 Bxg5 18. exf7+ Kxf7 19. Bxg5 Re8 $11) 13. Nxh4 {Weiß kann
nicht besser stehen, besonders weil er nicht zu g4 kommt.} (13. Nd4 Nf5 14.
Nce2 Nxd4 $1 15. Nxd4 (15. Rxd4 Bf5 16. Rd2 Rd8 17. Nd4 Bg6 $15) 15... a6 $1 {
Und Weiß muss die Notbremse ziehen und e6 spielen.} 16. e6 (16. Rfe1 c5 17. Nf3
Bf5 18. Rd2 Rd8 $15) 16... Bxe6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Bxc7 Rc8 19. Bb6 Bd8 20. Bd4
Bf6 $11 {Das Endspiel ist leicht Remis zu halten.}) 13... Bxh4 14. Ne2 Bd7 15.
Rfe1 (15. e6 Bxe6 16. Nd4 Bf6 17. Nxe6 fxe6 18. Bxc7 Rc8 19. Bf4 Ke7 $11 {
Dominguez Perez - Wang Yue (Wijk aan Zee, 2009)}) 15... Rd8 16. Nd4 Bc8 (16...
c5 17. e6 cxd4 18. exd7+ Kxd7 19. Rxd4+ Kc8 20. Rc4 c6 21. Be5 Bf6 22. Bxf6
gxf6 23. Re2 $14) 17. c3 Rd5 18. e6 Bf6 (18... Bxe6 19. Nxe6 fxe6 20. Rxe6+ Kd7
21. Ree1 Bf6 22. g3 $14) 19. exf7+ $1 {Komisch, aber dieser Zug ist eine
Neuerung. Es ist offensichtlich, dass das Nehmen auf c7 viel schwächer ist.} (
19. Bxc7 Bxe6 20. Nxe6 fxe6 21. Bf4 (21. Rxe6+ Kd7 22. Rxd5+ cxd5 $19) 21...
Ke7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Leko,P (2762)-Jakovenko,D (2742)/Nanjing 2009/CBM 133 (51)})
19... Kxf7 (19... Kd7 $2 20. Bxc7 $1 Kxc7 21. Re8 Rd8 22. Nb5+ cxb5 23. Rdxd8
$18) 20. Bxc7 $14 {Weiß hat einen Mehrbauer und relative risikofreie Stellung.}
g5 {Schwarz muss das Läuferpaar behalten.} (20... Bxd4 21. cxd4 Re8 22. Be5 c5
23. Re3 cxd4 24. Bxd4 Rxe3 25. fxe3 $16 {Der Läufer auf d4 ist sehr stark!}) (
20... Re8 21. Rxe8 Kxe8 22. Re1+ Kd7 23. Bb8 Bxd4 24. cxd4 Rxd4 25. Bxa7 Ra4
26. Rd1+ Ke6 27. Bd4 $16) 21. Nf3 (21. f4 gxf4 22. Bxf4 Rhd8 23. Rd2 Bxd4+ 24.
cxd4 Rxd4 $11) 21... Rxd1 22. Rxd1 Re8 23. Nd2 (23. Rd2 Be6 24. a3 Bd5 25. Nd4
Kg6 $44) 23... b5 24. f3 Bf5 25. Kf2 Re7 26. Bd8 Rd7 27. Bxf6 Bc2 28. Rg1 Rxd2+
29. Ke3 Rd5 $11 {Man kann nicht sagen, dass das Spiel forciert verläuft, aber
Weiß konnte auch nicht mehr als ein ähnliches Endspiel bekommen. Die schwarzen
Figuren sind sehr aktiv, während die weißen Figuren offensichtlich nicht gut
koordiniert sind.} (29... Rd3+ 30. Ke2 Rd5 31. Bd4 c5 32. Be3 $14) 30. Bh8 Kg8
31. c4 {Weiß hat keine Wahl, er muss den Bauer zurückgeben.} (31. Bf6 Kf7 32.
Bh8 $11) (31. Bd4 c5 32. Bf6 Kf7 $11) 31... bxc4 32. Bc3 {Es sollte kein
Problem sein, eine solche Stellung Remis zu halten...} Kf7 (32... g4 $2 33.
fxg4 hxg4 34. Rc1 Bf5 35. h4 $1 $14) 33. Rc1 Bd3 34. h4 $1 {Weiß muss
versuchen, einen freien Bauern am Königsflügel zu organisieren.} gxh4 35. Rh1
Rg5 (35... Rd7 $5 36. Rxh4 Kg6 37. Rf4 Re7+ 38. Kf2 Kg5 39. Rf8 Re2+ 40. Kg3
h4+ 41. Kh2 (41. Kh3 Bf5+ 42. Kh2 h3 43. Rg8+ Kf4 $11) 41... Bf5 42. Kg1 Kf4
$11) 36. Kf2 Rd5 37. Rxh4 Ke6 38. Rh2 a5 39. Kg3 a4 40. a3 Rg5+ 41. Kh4 Rd5 42.
Rh1 Kf7 43. Re1 {Es hat sich immernoch nichts verändert.} Bg6 44. Re3 Bd3 45.
Be5 Kg6 (45... Bf1 46. g4 (46. Kg3 Rd2 $15) (46. g3 Rd3 47. Re1 Rxf3 48. Kxh5
Bd3 $11) 46... hxg4 47. fxg4 Bd3 $11) 46. Re1 Bc2 47. Bc3 Kf7 48. Re2 Bd3 49.
Re3 Bg6 50. g4 {Auch hier ist nichts los.} c5 (50... hxg4 51. fxg4 $11) 51. Re1
hxg4 52. fxg4 Bc2 53. Rf1+ Ke7 54. Rf4 Bd3 55. Bg7 Ke6 56. Rf6+ Ke7 57. Rb6 Kf7
58. Bc3 Bc2 $4 {Das kann leicht passieren - Schwarz ist einfach
"eingeschlafen"... Er hätte um jeden Preis den Vorstoß des g-Bauern verhindern
müssen.} (58... Ke7 59. g5 Rd6 60. Rb5 Rc6 $11) 59. g5 $1 $18 {Plötzlich ist
die Stellung verloren - der g-Bauer ist nicht aufzuhalten.} Rd1 (59... Ke7 60.
g6 Rd6 61. g7 Bh7 62. Rb7+ Ke8 63. Ra7 $18) 60. g6+ Ke7 61. g7 Rg1 62. Rb7+ Ke6
63. Rb8 Bh7 (63... Kf7 64. Rf8+ $18) 64. Rh8 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 41st"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2013.07.28"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2796"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Adams,M"]
[PlyCount "82"]
[EventDate "2013.07.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 {
Although I have spent an unhealthy amount of my life analysing the endgame
arising from the Berlin variation my only previous outing on the Black side
against Peter Leko occurred back in 2004. The 101 moves of suffering didn't
encourage me to rush into a second outing.} 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 {The new
fashion which enables White to advance his kingside pawns very rapidly in some
variations.} Bd7 10. Rd1 Kc8 11. g4 Ne7 12. Ng5 Be8 13. f4 h5 14. Kf2 ({
I was only aware of the previously played} 14. f5 {and}) (14. Kg2 {This
novelty is quite clever as the king is ready to cover the g-pawn but avoids
possible bishop checks on the light squares. White's positional assets looked
rather daunting over the board but his king will not feel comfortable for some
time.}) 14... b6 ({The pawn is safe for now as} 14... hxg4 15. hxg4 Rh2+ 16.
Kg3 Rxc2 17. Nh7 {wins material. My move improving Black's king position seems
logical.}) 15. f5 Kb7 16. Nc3 ({If White can complete development without
incident his advanced pawns will be a crucial asset} 16. c4 {was the
alternative.}) 16... hxg4 ({Accepting the challenge as} 16... Nd5 17. Nxd5 cxd5
18. Kg3 {looks pleasant for White.}) 17. hxg4 Rh2+ 18. Kg3 Rxc2 19. Nh7 {
My bishop is destined to perish on its starting square but my other pieces
become very active.} ({Play remains murky after the alternative} 19. e6 f6 20.
Nh7 c5 21. Nxf8 Bc6 22. Ng6 Nxg6 23. fxg6 Rg2+ 24. Kf4 Rf2+) 19... c5 20. Nxf8
({If White wants to play for a win I think} 20. Rd2 Rxd2 21. Bxd2 Bc6 22. Rd1 {
which offers good compensation for a pawn is worth a try.}) 20... Bc6 21. f6 ({
Unusually my opponent seriously miscalculates; I was expecting the better} 21.
Bg5 Nxf5+ 22. gxf5 Rg2+ 23. Kf4 Rf2+ 24. Kg4 (24. Ke3 Rxf5 25. Nh7 Rh8 {
is ok for Black}) 24... Rg2+ {repeating}) ({White is also in difficulties after
} 21. Nd7 Rg2+ 22. Kf4 Rh8 23. Nxc5+ bxc5 24. Rd2 Rg1) 21... Rg2+ 22. Kf4 ({
White is already in dire straits as his king can't find a safe spot} 22. Kh4
gxf6 23. exf6 Nf5+ 24. gxf5 Rxf8 {wins}) (22. Kh3 gxf6 23. Bh6 f5 24. g5 f4 {
is also bad.}) 22... gxf6 23. exf6 Rf2+ 24. Ke3 (24. Ke5 Re8 {forces mate in 2}
) (24. Kg5 Rxf8 25. fxe7 Rg8+ 26. Kh4 Rg2 {only lasts a little longer.}) 24...
Rxf6 25. Nh7 Rf3+ 26. Kd2 ({The alternative} 26. Ke2 Rh8 27. Ng5 Rh2+ 28. Ke1
Rff2 29. Be3 (29. Rd2 Rxd2 30. Bxd2 Rh1+) 29... Rfg2 {is no better.}) 26...
Rd8+ 27. Kc2 ({Or} 27. Ke1 Rh8 28. Ng5 Rh1+ 29. Kd2 Rh2+) 27... Rxc3+ 28. bxc3
Ba4+ 29. Kb2 Rxd1 {With 2 extra pawns and the better position the rest is
simple.} 30. Bg5 Nc6 31. Rxd1 ({If} 31. Bf4 Rd3) 31... Bxd1 32. Bf4 (32. Nf6
Ne5 {wins another pawn.}) 32... Bxg4 33. Nf6 Bf3 34. Ne8 Na5 35. Nxc7 Bc6 {
Now the white knight is dominated.} 36. Kc2 Kc8 37. Kd3 Kd7 38. Kc2 Nc4 39. Na6
Bb7 40. Nb8+ Kc8 41. Kd3 b5 0-1

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 41st"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2013.07.30"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Wang, Hao"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A39"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "61"]
[EventDate "2013.07.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 g6 4. Nc3 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. d4 cxd4 7. Nxd4 Nc6 8.
O-O Qa5 $5 {An interesting line I also used it long time ago, it seems that
some new ideas for Black had been found but also for White. Let's see.} (8...
Nxd4 9. Qxd4 d6 10. Qd3 {is considered the main idea, usually White has
slightly better chances.}) (8... Ng4 {This move, popular in the nineties, also
failed to give Black equal chances.}) 9. Nb3 {This is main move, but there are
alternatives as well:} (9. Nc2 d6 10. Ne3 Be6 11. Ncd5 (11. Bd2 Qh5 12. Ncd5
Ng4 13. Nxg4 Bxg4 14. Nf4 Qc5 15. Rc1 Bxb2 16. Nd3 Qa3 17. Rb1 $2 (17. Nxb2 $1
Qxb2 18. h3 Bc8 19. Bc3 Qb6 20. Qd2 {this looks to me like the traditional
type of compensation}) 17... Bf6 18. Rxb7 Nd4 19. f3 Be6 $19 {0-1 (40)
Rakhmanov,A (2602)-Kurnosov,I (2657) Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2013}) 11... Bxd5 12.
cxd5 Ne5 13. Bd2 Qa6 14. Bc3 Rac8 (14... Rfc8 {I would prefer this rook}) 15.
Qd2 Bh6 (15... Rc7 16. Rac1 Rfc8 17. b3 Ne4 $1 $132) 16. f4 Neg4 $2 (16... Ned7
17. Nd1 $1 Bg7 18. Nf2 Nb6 19. e4 $14) 17. Nxg4 Nxg4 18. Bh3 $16 {1/2-1/2 (49)
Rakhmanov,A (2602)-Zvjaginsev,V (2659) Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2013}) 9... Qh5 10.
Nd5 (10. c5 Rd8 11. e4 d6 12. Qxh5 Nxh5 13. Rd1 dxc5 14. Rxd8+ Nxd8 15. Nxc5 b6
16. Nb3 Bb7 17. Be3 Bxc3 18. bxc3 Rc8 19. Rc1 Rc4 20. f3 Nc6 {1-0 (41)
Grischuk,A (2779)-Zvjaginsev,V (2659) Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2013. Black is fine
in this endgame, despite the fact that he lost the game.}) (10. e4 {this used
to be the main idea here} d6 $5 {so without taking on d1 is the idea} 11. Qxh5
(11. f3 Ne5 $5 (11... Bh3 12. Be3 Bxg2 13. Kxg2 g5 $2 (13... Nd7 14. Nd5 Qe5
$13) 14. Qe2 b6 15. Rac1 Rac8 16. h3 Rfd8 17. Rfd1 $14 {1-0 (47) Minero Pineda,
S (2429)-Ugalde,R (2165) San Jose CRC 2004}) 12. g4 (12. Qe2 Be6 13. Nd2 Rac8
14. Nd5 (14. b3 Neg4 15. fxg4 Nxg4 $19) 14... Nxd5 15. exd5 Bd7 $17) 12...
Nfxg4 13. fxg4 Bxg4 14. Qc2 Rac8 $36) 11... Nxh5 12. Rd1 (12. c5 dxc5 13. Nxc5
Rd8 14. Be3 Nf6 15. h3 Nd7 16. Rfd1 Nxc5 17. Rxd8+ Nxd8 18. Bxc5 Nc6 19. Rc1
Be6 (19... Bxc3 $5 20. Rxc3 e5 21. b3 Be6 22. Rd3 a5 $11) 20. Nd5 Bxb2 21. Rb1
Bd4 (21... b6 $1 22. Bxb6 axb6 23. Rxb2 b5 $11) 22. Bxd4 Nxd4 23. Rxb7 Kf8 24.
Nc7 Rc8 25. Nxe6+ fxe6 26. Rxa7 Rc1+ 27. Kh2 Rc2 28. Kg1 Rc1+ 29. Kh2 Rc2 30.
Kg1 Rc1+ {1/2-1/2 (30) Vitiugov,N (2734)-Matlakov,M (2665) Yekaterinburg RUS
2013. Black didn't experience any serious problems in this game.}) 12... Rd8
13. Bg5 Bg4 14. f3 Be6 15. g4 Bxc3 $1 16. bxc3 Nf6 17. c5 Bxb3 18. axb3 dxc5
19. Bf1 Kf8 20. Kf2 Rxd1 21. Rxd1 Rd8 $17 {0-1 (80) Le Quang Liem (2712)
-Grischuk,A (2779) Khanty-Mansiysk RUS 2013}) 10... d6 11. Nf4 Qe5 12. Re1 (12.
Nd3 Qh5 13. Bd2 $1 {A strong positional approach} e5 14. f3 g5 $6 (14... Ne8 $1
15. Nf2 f5 $13) 15. Nf2 a5 16. a4 Be6 17. Rc1 Rfc8 18. e4 Nd7 19. Be3 Bf8 20.
Nd2 Be7 $6 (20... Nb4 21. b3 Nc5 22. Nb1 $14) (20... Nd4 21. b3 Bg7 22. Nb1 Nc5
23. Bxd4 exd4 24. Na3 Be5 25. Rb1 $14) 21. Nb1 $1 $14 {1-0 (40) Wang Yue (2696)
-Shoker,S (2490) Al-Ain UAE 2012}) 12... a5 13. a4 Be6 14. Nd2 (14. Nxe6 Qxe6
15. Nd2 Rfd8 16. e4 Nb4 17. Bf1 Nd7 $132) 14... Bf5 $5 15. Nd5 (15. e4 Bg4 16.
f3 Qd4+ 17. Kh1 Bd7 $13) 15... Nxd5 16. cxd5 Nb4 17. e4 Bd7 18. Nc4 Qd4 19.
Qxd4 Bxd4 20. Be3 Rfc8 (20... Bxe3 $1 21. Nxe3 Nd3 22. Reb1 Nc5 23. b3 b5 $15)
21. Bf1 Rxc4 22. Bxc4 Bxb2 $6 {Strange decision, although Black is still ok
even with this; his task now is to find strong moves, which he failed to do.} (
22... Bxe3 23. Rxe3 Nc2 24. Rea3 Rc8 25. b3 Nxa3 26. Rxa3 e5 {Black is at
least equal.}) 23. Rab1 Bf6 24. Rec1 Bxa4 25. Bb6 Bd7 $2 {This was the final
mistake, even at this stage Black was ok:} (25... Bc2 $1 26. Rxb4 axb4 27. Rxc2
Ra1+ 28. Kg2 b3 $1 {this strong tactical resource was probably missed by Wang
Hao} 29. Bxb3 Rb1 $11) 26. Bxa5 Rxa5 27. Rxb4 $18 b5 28. Bd3 Kg7 29. Kg2 g5 30.
Rc7 Bg4 $2 (30... Be8 $8 {White is wining in the long run, but still Black
could have played on.}) 31. e5 {So many oversights by Wang Hao in one game.
The opening though was very much ok.} 1-0

[Event "Dortmund SuperGM 41st"]
[Site "Dortmund"]
[Date "2013.08.01"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Naiditsch, Arkadij"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D60"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "52"]
[EventDate "2013.07.26"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 156"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 O-O 8. Bd3
{This may seem like a simplistic move, but in principle White cannot avoid
losing a tempo with his bishop anyway.} ({Adams had an old game with} 8. Rc1 a6
({Actually,} 8... Re8 $5 {is even more flexible, practically avoiding the
Exchange Variation, since the rook would be badly placed on c1.}) 9. cxd5 exd5
10. Bd3 c6 {Georgiev,K (2643)-Adams,M (2725)/Caleta 2013/CBM 153 (1/2, 68)})
8... dxc4 9. Bxc4 a6 10. a4 c5 11. O-O cxd4 12. exd4 Nb6 13. Bd3 {Aiming for
an attack, maybe too obstinately.} (13. Bb3 {is more popular, controlling d5.})
13... Nbd5 (13... Bd7 $5) 14. Ne5 Nb4 $146 (14... Qb6 15. Nc4 Qa7 16. Bg3 {
Jarulin,R (2095)-Makhnev,V (2267)/Kimry 2004/EXT 2005 (0-1, 35)}) 15. Bb1 Bd7
16. Ra3 Bc6 17. Ne2 Nd7 18. Bxe7 Qxe7 19. Rg3 Rfd8 20. Qc1 Kf8 {Black has
regrouped well and after the exchange of the dark-squared bishop should not
fear a sacrificial attack.} 21. Bh7 $6 {The whole plan initiated by this move
will leave White's pieces exposed.} Nf6 22. Nf4 $6 Be8 $1 {This defensive move
is known from the times of the match Steinitz-Zukertort. The first World
champion gladly played against the isolani...} 23. Rf3 $6 {The decisive
mistake already.} Nc6 $1 24. Rd1 $6 ({If} 24. Nxc6 Bxc6 {the rook and the
bishop are hanging, so White has to give up a pawn for nothing with} 25. d5)
24... Rxd4 25. Rxd4 (25. Nxc6 Rxd1+ 26. Qxd1 Bxc6 {[%csl Gf3,Gh7]}) 25... Nxd4
26. Rd3 Nc6 $1 (26... Nc6 {If} 27. Nxc6 Bxc6 {the rook is not hanging anymore,
but it blocks the bishop's retreat.}) 0-1

[Event "Grand Slam Final 6th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2013.10.08"]
[Round "2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B40"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[PlyCount "80"]
[EventDate "2013.10.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 d5 4. exd5 exd5 5. d4 Nc6 6. Bg2 Bg4 7. O-O cxd4 8.
Nbd2 Nf6 9. h3 Bh5 10. Re1+ Be7 11. Nb3 O-O 12. Nbxd4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 Rc8 14. Be3
Bc5 15. Qd2 Ne4 16. Qd3 Qb6 17. Bxc5 Rxc5 18. Nd4 Qxb2 19. Reb1 Qc3 20. Qxc3
Nxc3 21. Rxb7 Bg6 22. Bf1 Ra5 23. a4 Rxa4 24. Rxa4 Nxa4 25. Rxa7 Nc5 26. Bg2
Ne6 27. Nc6 Be4 28. c3 Kh8 29. Rd7 Nc5 30. Rc7 Ne6 31. Re7 h6 32. Nd4 Bxg2 33.
Kxg2 Rc8 34. Rxf7 Nxd4 35. cxd4 Rc4 36. Rf4 g5 37. Rg4 Kg7 38. h4 Kf6 39. f4
gxh4 40. Rxh4 Kg6 {time} 1-0

[Event "Grand Slam Final 6th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2013.10.12"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Vachier Lagrave, Maxime"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E18"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2753"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2013.10.07"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 b6 3. d4 Bb7 4. c4 e6 5. Bg2 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 Na6 8. Nc3
Ne4 9. Qc2 f5 10. Ne5 d6 11. Nd3 d5 12. cxd5 exd5 13. Be3 Nb4 14. Qb3 Nxd3 15.
exd3 Nf6 16. Bf4 Qd7 17. Rac1 Bd8 18. Re5 c6 19. Rce1 Nh5 20. Bd2 g6 21. Bh6
Bf6 22. Bxf8 Bxe5 23. Rxe5 Kxf8 24. a4 Re8 25. a5 Qc7 26. axb6 axb6 27. Qb4+
Kf7 28. Na4 b5 29. Nc5 Nf6 30. Qe1 Bc8 31. h4 Re7 32. Bf3 f4 33. Qe2 h5 34.
gxf4 Bg4 35. Bxg4 Nxg4 36. Ne6 Qd6 37. f5 Kg8 38. f3 Nxe5 39. dxe5 Qb4 40. f4
gxf5 41. Qg2+ 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 1314"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2014.03.16"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "McShane, Luke J"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2697"]
[PlyCount "147"]
[EventDate "2013.10.12"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 160"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.05.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Werder Bremen"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Bd7 10. Ne2 Ke8 11. Nf4 Rd8 12. Re1 Bc8 13. h3 Ne7 14. Nh5
Ng6 15. Bg5 Rd5 16. c4 Rd7 17. e6 fxe6 18. Rxe6+ Kf7 19. Re4 h6 20. Bf4 Bd6 21.
Rae1 Rhd8 22. g4 Bf8 23. Bg3 c5 24. Kh2 Kg8 25. Re8 c6 26. Nh4 Rxe8 27. Rxe8
Ne7 28. Nf5 Kf7 29. Nd6+ Rxd6 30. Rxf8+ Kxf8 31. Bxd6 g5 32. f4 Kf7 33. fxg5
hxg5 34. Bxc5 b6 35. Be3 Kg6 36. Ng3 Ng8 37. Kg1 Nf6 38. Bd4 Nd7 39. Nf5 Ba6
40. Nd6 c5 41. Bc3 Nf8 42. Kf2 Ne6 43. Be5 Nd8 44. b3 Nc6 45. Bc3 Nd8 46. a4
Ne6 47. Be5 Nd8 48. Ke3 Nc6 49. Bc3 Nd8 50. Be1 Kf6 51. h4 Nf7 52. hxg5+ Kg6
53. Nxf7 Kxf7 54. Bc3 Bc8 55. Kf4 Bd7 56. Bf6 Ke6 57. Be5 Be8 58. Bb8 a5 59.
Bc7 Bg6 60. Bxb6 Bc2 61. b4 cxb4 62. Bxa5 b3 63. Bc3 Bd3 64. a5 Kd6 65. Bd4
Bxc4 66. g6 Kc6 67. Ke5 Kb5 68. Bc3 b2 69. Bxb2 Kxa5 70. Kd6 Kb4 71. g7 Kb3 72.
Bf6 Kc2 73. Ke7 Kd3 74. Kf8 1-0

[Event "Hoogeveen Unive Crown 17th"]
[Site "Hoogeveen"]
[Date "2013.10.25"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Van Wely, Loek"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2753"]
[BlackElo "2693"]
[Annotator "Ramirez Alvarez,A"]
[PlyCount "107"]
[EventDate "2013.10.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "17"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 157"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2013.11.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e6 {White has tried
basically every legal move in this position, but the one that Adam's chooses
is actually very rare.} 7. Qf3 Nbd7 8. O-O-O Qc7 9. Qg3 {Although this looks
like it should be a somewhat typical Sicilian position, the quick Qf3-g3 has
made this a position that has never been seen at top level chess. It's
interesting that despite the hundreds or thousands of grandmaster Sicilians
every year, there is always new territory to explore before move 10.} Nc5 10.
f3 Bd7 11. Nb3 $1 {I like this move. The knight is threated because of the pin,
so Black must react. If he takes on b3 he solidifies White's position, while
Na4 is a little awkward.} Na4 (11... Nxb3+ 12. axb3 {makes White's position a
little easier to defend.} (12. cxb3 $5 {Might be even better, with the
followup of Kb1 and Rc1.})) 12. Nxa4 Bxa4 13. Kb1 Rc8 14. Bd3 h5 15. Rhe1 {
Adams has played very simple chess and he has a slightly more comfortable
position.} e5 (15... Be7 {seemed a little better. Black needs to castle.} 16.
Qxg7 Rg8 17. Qh6 Rg6 18. Qf4 e5 19. Qh4 Ng4 20. Qxh5 Nxe3 21. Rxe3 Rxg2 {
is the kind of counterplay Black should be happy with, despite being down a
pawn.}) 16. Qf2 Be7 17. Bb6 Qb8 18. Na5 Nd7 19. Nc4 Bxc2+ $5 {Changing the
character of the position, but Adams is ready for this.} (19... O-O 20. b3 Bc6
21. g4 {looks worse than it actually is. Black is a little bit worse probably
but he has chances.}) 20. Kxc2 Nxb6 21. Qxb6 Bd8 22. Qb3 b5 23. Kb1 bxc4 24.
Qxb8 Rxb8 25. Bxc4 {A forced sequence has landed us in this endgame. The issue
for Black here is that he holds two permanent disadvantages. The first is that
his bishop will simply never be as useful as White's, who will dominate the
board. The second is that Adams has a mobile majority on the queenside,
letting him create a potential passed pawn. Black will never push d5.} Rb6 26.
Rd3 Rf8 27. Rc1 f5 {An attempt at alleviating the blockade. Adams has to
decide wether to let go a bit of his hold on d5 or give Van Wely the f-file.}
28. Bd5 Kd7 29. exf5 $1 {The correct decision. The rooks and bishop will be
enough to consolidate the blockade.} Rxf5 30. Be4 Rf4 31. g3 Rf6 32. h4 a5 33.
Rc5 Rf8 34. a3 {It's suicide for Black's pawn to ever advance to a4, so Adams
can play this move to pr epare a future b4.} Ke6 35. Rc8 Be7 36. Rc7 Rb5 37.
Bc6 (37. a4 Rc5 38. Rxc5 dxc5 39. Rb3 $1 {Was maybe better, Black has
difficulty holding on to all his pawns.}) 37... Rb6 (37... Rc5 $1 {Was the
only way to play for Black.} 38. Ka2 Rb8 $1 {Halting b4, and White still has
to prove his advantage.}) 38. Bd5+ Kf6 39. g4 $1 {Now it's winning. Black's
rook on b6 is nowhere near as important as White's on c7, which is fueling a
strong attack against the opponent king.} hxg4 40. fxg4 e4 {Otherwise Van Wely
will lose his bishop after g5+.} 41. Bxe4 (41. g5+ $1 {was stronger} Kf5 42.
Re3 {And White wins a pawn but Black's king is still not feeling comfortable.})
41... Bd8 42. Rc2 g5 43. Rf3+ Kg7 44. Rxf8 Kxf8 45. Rc8 Ke7 46. h5 {White's
passed pawn on the h-file is too strong. Black can't afford to lose any more
material, but it is not easy to put a stop to h6.} d5 47. Bxd5 Kd7 48. Ra8 Rf6
49. Be4 Rf1+ 50. Ka2 Rf2 51. Bf5+ Ke7 52. h6 Bb6 53. h7 Bd4 54. h8=Q {Adams
converted a very nice game in which he was better from start to finish. Van
Wely missed his chance to put further problems and try to equalize with 37...
Rc5 and after that it was simply over.} 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 19th"]
[Site "Warsaw"]
[Date "2013.11.16"]
[Round "8.5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Erdos, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C78"]
[WhiteElo "2752"]
[BlackElo "2658"]
[PlyCount "131"]
[EventDate "2013.11.08"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "POL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 158"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.01.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Hungary"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "HUN"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. Nc3 O-O 8. d3
d6 9. Nd5 h6 10. a4 Rb8 11. axb5 axb5 12. Be3 Nxd5 13. Bxc5 Nf6 14. Be3 Be6 15.
Bxe6 fxe6 16. c3 Qd7 17. b4 Ra8 18. Qc2 Rfb8 19. h3 Qc8 20. Nd2 Rxa1 21. Rxa1
Ra8 22. Ra2 Ra6 23. Nb3 Qa8 24. Rxa6 Qxa6 25. Na5 Kf7 26. Nxc6 Qxc6 27. f3 Ke7
28. c4 bxc4 29. dxc4 Qa6 30. c5 Nd7 31. cxd6+ cxd6 32. Bf2 Qb5 33. Qc3 d5 34.
Be1 Kd6 35. exd5 exd5 36. f4 d4 37. Qf3 exf4 38. Qxf4+ Qe5 39. Qf1 Qd5 40. Qd3
Nf8 41. b5 Ne6 42. Qa3+ Ke5 43. Qb2 Nc5 44. Bf2 Qc4 45. b6 Nb7 46. Qa3 Ke6 47.
Qf8 Qd5 48. Qxg7 d3 49. Qxh6+ Kd7 50. Be3 Nd6 51. Qh7+ Kc6 52. Qc7+ Kb5 53.
Qd7+ Kc4 54. Qa4+ Kc3 55. Qa3+ Kc2 56. Qc1+ Kb3 57. Qb1+ Kc3 58. Qc1+ Kb3 59.
h4 Ka2 60. h5 Nc4 61. b7 d2 62. Qc2+ Ka3 63. Qc3+ Ka2 64. Bxd2 Nxd2 65. b8=Q
Nf3+ 66. Kf2 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.05"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B30"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2709"]
[Annotator "Roiz,M"]
[PlyCount "103"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Latvia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "LAT"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 4. O-O Nge7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bc2 Bb7 8. Re1
(8. Qe2 {is a common alternative here.}) 8... c4 {The recent fashion.} ({
Besides, Black has a couple of popular alternatives:} 8... Rc8) (8... d5) ({and
} 8... Ng6 {but White is able to pose Black a definite problems in all those
cases.}) 9. a4 Ng6 10. d4 {Michael goes for the most ambitious plan. White is
trying to put pressure along the d- file and develop some attack along the
diagonal b1-h7.} (10. b4 cxb3 (10... Nce5 11. axb5 axb5 12. Rxa8 Bxa8 13. Na3
Bc6 14. Nd4 Nf4 15. Nxc6 dxc6 16. d4 cxd3 17. Bxf4 Ng6 18. Bg3 dxc2 19. Qxd8+
Kxd8 20. Nxc2 $14 {1/2-1/2 Svidler,P (2747)-Gelfand,B (2751)/Tashkent UZB 2012
(45)}) 11. Bxb3 Be7 12. d4 O-O $132) (10. axb5 axb5 11. Rxa8 Bxa8 12. d4 cxd3
13. Qxd3 (13. Bxd3 b4 14. e5 Be7 15. Nbd2 O-O 16. Nc4 bxc3 17. bxc3 Na5 $15 {
0-1 Dzhumaev,M (2492)-Moiseenko,A (2670)/Belgorod 2010/CBM 139 (45)}) 13... b4
14. Nbd2 Be7 15. Nc4 {1/2-1/2 Stevic,H (2626)-Fedorchuk,S (2667)/Bol CRO 2013}
bxc3 16. bxc3 O-O 17. Be3 d6 $11) 10... cxd3 11. Qxd3 b4 {In his turn, Alexei
seizes some space on the queenside.} 12. Nbd2 a5 $5 $146 {Black is not in a
rush. The bishop gets the important a6-square, so White should be ready for a
possible pin in the event of Nd2-c4.} (12... Nge5 13. Nxe5 Nxe5 14. Qg3 Qc7 (
14... Ng6 15. Nc4 Rc8 16. Nd6+ Bxd6 17. Qxd6 bxc3 18. bxc3 Rxc3 19. Bd3 $44)
15. Nc4 Qxc4 16. Qxe5 Rc8 17. Bd2 Qc7 18. Qxc7 Rxc7 19. Rac1 bxc3 20. Bxc3 f6
21. Bd3 Bd6 22. Ba5 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Ke7 $11 {1/2-1/2 Matinian,N (2460)-Guseinov,
G (2623)/Moscow RUS 2013 (50)}) 13. Nc4 {White can hardly find another good
square for the knight.} (13. e5 Qc7 14. Nc4 Ba6 15. Qe4 Be7 16. Bd2 O-O $132)
13... Ba6 {A principled response.} ({Shirov could also postpone it:} 13... Qc7
14. e5 Ba6 15. Qe4 Be7 16. Bd2 O-O $132) 14. Nd6+ Bxd6 15. Qxd6 {The
appearance of the opponent's queen on d6 is unpleasant, so Shirov had to
exchange it.} Qb8 $1 {An accurate approach.} ({After the natural} 15... Qe7 $6
16. Qg3 $1 O-O 17. e5 $36 {White would be able to develop a dangerous
initiative on the kingside.}) 16. Qc5 Nge5 $6 {The first serious mistake of
Alexei in this game - now White gets a dangerous passed Pa4.} ({A much better
move was} 16... bxc3 17. bxc3 Nce5 {getting a normal pawn structure} 18. Nxe5
Qxe5 19. Ba3 Qxc5 20. Bxc5 Nf4 $11) 17. Nxe5 Nxe5 ({Now the endgame would be
unpleasant:} 17... Qxe5 18. Qxe5 Nxe5 19. cxb4 axb4 20. Bd2 Rb8 21. b3 $14) 18.
cxb4 d6 {Once again, Alexei steps away from the inferior endgame.} (18... Qxb4
19. Qxb4 axb4 20. Bd2 Rb8 21. b3 $14) 19. Qc3 axb4 $6 {Letting the queen go to
g3 is extremely risky.} ({A more accurate try was} 19... Qxb4 20. Bd2 (20. Qxb4
axb4 21. Bd2 Rb8 22. b3 Kd7 {is nothing special for White.}) 20... Qb6 21. Rec1
O-O 22. Qxa5 Qxb2 $14) 20. Qg3 O-O 21. Bh6 Ng6 22. Bd2 {As a result, Black has
a problem on both sides of the board.} Rc8 (22... Ne5 23. Rac1 b3 24. Bb1 Qb7
25. Bc3 $16) 23. Rac1 Qb6 24. Qb3 {Adams decides to concentrate his forces on
the q-side.} (24. Be3 $5 Qd8 25. Bb3 $16) 24... Rab8 25. Bb1 Ne5 26. Rxc8+ Bxc8
27. Rc1 $16 {White's advantage is undisputable - the pawns on d6 and b4 are
weak, while White's pair of bishops and the Pa4 are extremely dangerous.} Bd7 (
27... Ng4 28. Be1 Ba6 29. h3 Ne5 30. Bd2 $16) 28. Qd1 Qd4 ({Nothing is changed
by} 28... Rc8 29. Rxc8+ Bxc8 30. Be3 Qc6 31. b3 $16) 29. b3 Rc8 30. Be3 Rxc1 {
A correct decision.} ({After} 30... Qxd1+ 31. Rxd1 {Black would be unable to
avoid a loss of material:} Rc3 32. Bd4 Rxb3 33. Bc2 Ra3 34. Bxe5 dxe5 35. Rxd7
$18) 31. Qxc1 Qa1 {Alexei manages to activate the queen, so White's task is
more complicated now.} 32. h3 (32. Bc2 $5 Qxc1+ 33. Bxc1 Kf8 34. f4 Nc6 35. Be3
$16) 32... Nc6 33. Kh2 $1 ({Correctly deviating from simplifying:} 33. Bc2
Qxc1+ 34. Bxc1 Kf8 $14) 33... e5 34. Qd1 Nd4 {Entering into tactical
complications.} 35. Bxd4 {Obviously, White cannot allow such a strong knight.}
exd4 ({As the following analyses prove, White should be able to win the bishop
endgame:} 35... Qxd4 36. Qxd4 exd4 37. Kg3 Kf8 38. Kf3 Ke7 39. Ke2 Be6 40. Bc2
Kd7 41. Kd3 Kc6 42. Kxd4 f6 43. h4 h6 44. f4 Kb6 45. g3 Kc6 46. e5 dxe5+ 47.
fxe5 fxe5+ 48. Kxe5 Bg4 49. Kf4 Bc8 50. h5 Kd5 51. a5 Kc5 52. g4 $18) 36. e5
Qc3 (36... Qb2 $5 37. exd6 Qxf2 38. Qf3 Qxf3 39. gxf3 Kf8 40. Kg3 Ke8 41. h4
Bc6 42. Kf4 Kd7 43. Ke5 $16) 37. exd6 {White still has a big advantage due to
his passed a-pawn, but the character of the position has changed.} Qc5 (37...
g6 38. Bd3 Qc5 39. Kg1 Be6 40. Bf1 Qxd6 41. a5 $16) 38. Qd3 Qxd6+ $2 {After
being tired from a tough defence, Alexei makes the decisive mistake.} (38...
Kf8 39. Qa6 g6 40. Bd3 Bc8 41. Qa8 Qxd6+ 42. g3 $16) (38... g6 39. Qg3 Be6 40.
Bd3 Kf8 41. Bb5 $16) 39. Qg3 {Michael is happy to liquadate into a winning
endgame.} Qb6 {Black fails to keep the queens on the board anyway.} (39...
Qxg3+ 40. Kxg3 Kf8 41. Kf4 Ke7 42. Ke5 Be6 43. Kxd4 Bxb3 44. a5 Kd6 45. Be4 $1
f5 (45... Kc7 46. Kc5 $18) 46. Bxf5 Kc6 47. Bxh7 Kb5 48. f4 Kxa5 49. g4 $18)
40. a5 $1 Qa7 41. Qd6 $18 {White is just dominating now.} g6 42. Qb6 ({Or} 42.
Bd3 Kg7 43. a6 Bf5 44. Bc4 $18) 42... Qxb6 43. axb6 Bc6 44. Bd3 {[%cal Gd3a6]}
Bb7 45. Kg3 {The rest is a matter of simple technique.} Kf8 (45... g5 46. f3
$18 {[%cal Gd3e4]}) 46. Kf4 f5 47. g3 (47. Ke5 Bxg2 48. Ba6 d3 49. b7 Bxb7 50.
Bxb7 d2 51. Bf3 $18) 47... Ke7 48. Ke5 Bf3 (48... Kd7 49. Bb5+ Kc8 50. Kxd4 $18
) 49. Ba6 Kd7 50. Bb5+ Kc8 51. Kxd4 g5 52. Bd3 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-41"]
[Site "Tromsoe"]
[Date "2014.08.06"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Le, Quang Liem"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E11"]
[WhiteElo "2710"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2014.08.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NOR"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 162"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.09.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Vietnam"]
[BlackTeam "England"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "VIE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ENG"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Nf3 c6 7. Qb3 O-O 8. O-O
Nbd7 9. Rc1 a5 10. Bg5 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Na3 Qe7 13. e3 Rd8 14. Rab1 g6 15.
Qc2 Bg7 16. Rd1 Nf6 17. Ne5 Bd7 18. Nxd7 Rxd7 19. Rd2 e5 20. dxe5 Qxe5 21. Rbd1
Rad8 22. cxd5 Nxd5 23. Nc4 Qe6 24. Bxd5 cxd5 25. Nxa5 d4 26. exd4 Qxa2 27. Nb3
Qa4 28. Ra1 Qb4 29. Qc3 Qb6 30. Ra4 Qe6 31. Nc5 Qe1+ 32. Kg2 Rc7 33. Rc2 Qe8
34. Rc4 b5 35. Rb4 Rxc5 36. Qxc5 Bf8 37. Qxb5 Qe4+ 38. Kg1 Qxc2 39. Ra4 Qb1+
40. Kg2 Qe4+ 41. f3 Qc2+ 42. Kh3 Qd1 43. f4 h5 44. Qc4 Rxd4 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 30th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2014.09.15"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Dreev, Alexey"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E35"]
[WhiteElo "2662"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[Annotator "Adams,M"]
[PlyCount "124"]
[EventDate "2014.09.14"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "SHSM-64"]
[BlackTeam "SOCAR"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

{It was very enjoyable playing for SOCAR, with all my team mates in such good
form during the event, and a great feeling to be a European Club Cup winner
again!} 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4
c5 8. dxc5 O-O $1 ({It's strange that so few games have been played with this
standard move when so many have continued with the sharp} 8... g5) 9. e3 Be6
10. Nf3 Nbd7 11. Be2 Rc8 12. Nd4 ({In the sixth round Alexei Shirov played the
sophisticated} 12. c6 {here which could be a clever move. However something
went wrong for him in the game continuation and after} bxc6 13. O-O Qa5 14.
Rac1 c5 15. Rfd1 Rfe8 16. a3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Ne4 18. c4 Nb6 19. Nd2 Nxd2 20. cxd5
Bxd5 21. Qxd2 Qa4 {I was doing well.}) 12... Nxc5 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. O-O Nd7 {
A necessary retreat: it is essential to saddle White with a weak pawn on c3 or
he will take full control.} 15. Qa4 Bxc3 16. bxc3 a6 17. Qb4 Rc7 18. a4 Rfc8
19. a5 Ne5 20. Rab1 ({A key moment I thought it was very important to play} 20.
h3 {here in order to keep the bishops on the board, once my worst piece
disapears, Black has an easy game as my other guys are well placed.}) 20... Bg4
21. Bxg4 Nxg4 22. Ne2 Ne5 23. Rfd1 Rd7 {This rook does a good job of covering
my two weak points, and its colleagues, my queen and knight can target the
white pawns particularly the one on a5.} 24. h3 Qd8 25. Nd4 g6 {A handy move
as well as preventing Nf5 and giving my king more breathing space, it poses
the awkward question as to how White should proceed.} 26. Ra1 Rc4 27. Qa3 Qc7 {
It's hard to suggest improvements for White but it is clear he is being driven
backwards.} 28. Rdc1 Nd3 {The knight gains a tempo en route to an even better
post where ...Ra4 and ...Na4 can be menaced.} 29. Rc2 Nc5 30. Qb4 {A rather
beautiful move which I had completely failed to consider, the queen moves to a
square where it is under attack.} ({The mundane} 30. Qc1 Na4 {was no stronger.}
) 30... Qd8 ({White should be fine after} 30... Rxb4 31. cxb4 Qd8 {but of
course there is no compulsion to grab the queen.}) 31. Qb1 Na4 (31... Ne4 {
is another good option here.}) 32. Nb3 ({I failed to notice that following} 32.
Qb3 Qxa5 ({Black also has the promising option to retrace his steps with} 32...
Nc5 33. Qb1 Ne4) 33. Nf3 {Black is forced to part with the exchange although
he remains in good shape after} b5 34. Ne5 Rd6 {Possibly Dreev also wasn't
aware of this as I guess it is the best try for White.}) 32... Nxc3 33. Qf1
Rdc7 {The rest is a matter of technique or in my case lack thereof.} 34. Qd3
Nb5 35. Rxc4 Rxc4 36. Rd1 Rc3 37. Qb1 Qd6 ({In fact the sneaky} 37... Qc7 {
is the most precise as the pawn is immune due to} 38. Rxd5 Qc4) 38. Nd4 Nxd4
39. exd4 ({Forced due to} 39. Rxd4 Qc7 40. Rd1 Rc5) 39... Ra3 ({It was not
easy to choose between this and} 39... Qc7 40. Qb4 {just before the time
control.}) 40. Qxb7 Rxa5 41. Re1 Kg7 42. g3 ({Survival chances are also not
great after} 42. Qe7 Qxe7 43. Rxe7) 42... Qf6 43. Qb2 Ra4 ({During the game I
regretted not playing} 43... Qf3 {but the machine points out that the sneaky}
44. Qb8 {keeps the game going.}) 44. Kg2 ({The best hope} 44. Rd1 Qf3 {is too
passive.}) 44... Rxd4 ({I had forgotten that} 44... Qxd4 45. Qxd4+ Rxd4 46. Ra1
{gives White the best he can hope for, although practical results have not
favoured the defender here recently.}) 45. Re8 Rf4 ({I managed to avoid} 45...
Re4 46. Rg8+) 46. Qa2 ({After this the win is fairly straightforward, the best
practical try was} 46. Qxf6+ Rxf6 47. Rd8 d4 (47... Rf5 48. Ra8) 48. Rxd4 a5
49. Ra4 Ra6 50. Kf3 Kf6 51. Ke4 Ke6 52. Kd4 {when there is still some work to
be done.}) 46... Qc6 47. gxf4 (47. Qb2+ {is met by the deadly countercheck} d4+
) 47... Qxe8 48. Qxd5 ({The d-pawn is almost home after} 48. Qxa6 Qe4+ 49. Kg3
d4) 48... Qb5 49. Qd4+ Kh7 {With my king imperturbable it is impossible to
prevent the pawn inching forwards.} 50. Qa7 Qd5+ 51. Kg3 a5 52. f3 Kg7 53. h4
h5 54. Qe7 ({Perhaps} 54. Kg2 {was a little better.}) 54... Qd4 {This
centralising move finishes the job.} 55. Qa3 (55. f5 {is met by} Qf6) 55... a4
56. Qe7 Qg1+ 57. Kh3 Qh1+ 58. Kg3 Qg1+ 59. Kh3 Qa1 60. Kg3 a3 61. f5 a2 {
White resigned as} 62. fxg6 Qf6 {ends the argument.} 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 30th"]
[Site "Bilbao"]
[Date "2014.09.19"]
[Round "6.3"]
[White "Shirov, Alexei"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E35"]
[WhiteElo "2701"]
[BlackElo "2752"]
[PlyCount "240"]
[EventDate "2014.09.14"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 163"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2014.11.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Malachite Sverdlovsk Region"]
[BlackTeam "SOCAR"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 d5 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 c5 8.
dxc5 O-O 9. e3 Be6 10. Nf3 Nbd7 11. Be2 Rc8 12. c6 bxc6 13. O-O Qa5 14. Rac1 c5
15. Rfd1 Rfe8 16. a3 Bxc3 17. bxc3 Ne4 18. c4 Nb6 19. Nd2 Nxd2 20. cxd5 Bxd5
21. Qxd2 Qa4 22. Bg3 Bb3 23. Re1 c4 24. Qb4 Qxb4 25. axb4 Nd5 26. Bg4 Nxb4 27.
Bxc8 Rxc8 28. Be5 Nd3 29. Bc3 Rc5 30. Bd4 Rc7 31. Bc3 Rc5 32. Bd4 Rd5 33. Bxa7
Nxe1 34. Rxe1 Rd3 35. f3 c3 36. Bd4 c2 37. Bb2 Rd1 38. Kf2 f5 39. h4 h5 40. Bc1
Kf7 41. Bb2 g6 42. Bc1 Bd5 43. Ke2 Bc4+ 44. Kf2 Bd3 45. e4 fxe4 46. fxe4 Bc4
47. e5 Be6 48. Bg5 Ke8 49. Ke2 Bg4+ 50. Kf2 Kd7 51. Bc1 Be6 52. Ke2 Kc6 53. Kf2
Kd5 54. Bf4 Kd4 55. Bh6 Kc3 56. Re3+ Kd4 57. Re1 Kd5 58. Bf4 Kc4 59. Bh6 Rd4
60. Ra1 Kc3 61. Ra6 Bc4 62. Rd6 Re4 63. Rxg6 Rxe5 64. Rc6 Rf5+ 65. Kg3 Kd3 66.
Rc7 Re5 67. Bf4 Rf5 68. Bh6 Rd5 69. Re7 Rd6 70. Bc1 Rg6+ 71. Kf2 Be6 72. Re8
Bd5 73. Re3+ Kc4 74. Rg3 Rf6+ 75. Ke1 Be4 76. Rg8 Bf5 77. Rg7 Bg4 78. Rc7+ Kd3
79. Re7 Rd6 80. Kf2 Rb6 81. Rc7 Rb1 82. Bh6 Rd1 83. Rc6 Rb1 84. Rd6+ Ke4 85.
Rc6 Bd1 86. Bg5 Rb5 87. Bc1 Rf5+ 88. Ke1 Re5 89. Kf2 Kd5 90. Rc8 Re2+ 91. Kf1
Re4 92. Bg5 Be2+ 93. Kf2 Bc4 94. Rd8+ Kc6 95. g3 Re5 96. Bh6 Rf5+ 97. Kg2 Bd5+
98. Kg1 Kc7 99. Re8 Bf3 100. Bc1 Bd1 101. Re3 Kd6 102. Rc3 Kd5 103. Bf4 Kd4
104. Rc7 Rd5 105. Kf2 Kd3 106. Rc6 Bg4 107. Bc1 Bd7 108. Rc7 Be6 109. Re7 Rf5+
110. Kg1 Re5 111. Bf4 Re4 112. Bh6 Ke2 113. Rc7 Rc4 114. Re7 c1=Q+ 115. Bxc1
Rxc1+ 116. Kg2 Rc6 117. g4 hxg4 118. h5 Ke3 119. Kg3 Ke4 120. Kh4 Kd4 0-1

[Event "Bundesliga 1415"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2015.03.14"]
[Round "12.2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Motylev, Alexander"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B11"]
[WhiteElo "2758"]
[BlackElo "2682"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2014.10.18"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[BlackTeam "Muelheim Nord"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. e5 Ne4 5. Ne2 Qb6 6. d4 e6 7. Ng3 c5 8. c3 Nc6
9. Bd3 Nxg3 10. hxg3 cxd4 11. cxd4 Bd7 12. Kf1 Be7 13. g4 Nb4 14. Bb1 Bb5+ 15.
Kg1 Qa6 16. Bg5 h6 17. Bxe7 Kxe7 18. Qd2 Nc6 19. g5 Be2 20. gxh6 gxh6 21. Rh3
Bxf3 22. Rxf3 Qa4 23. Rd3 Qa5 24. Qe3 Rac8 25. a3 Kd7 26. Rb3 Rc7 27. Bd3 Rhc8
28. Bb5 a6 29. Bxc6+ Kxc6 30. Qxh6 b6 31. Rc1+ Kb7 32. Rxc7+ Rxc7 33. Rb4 b5
34. g3 Rc2 35. Kg2 Qc7 36. a4 Qa5 37. Qf8 Qc7 38. axb5 Rxf2+ 39. Kxf2 Qc2+ 40.
Ke3 Qc1+ 41. Kd3 1-0

[Event "London Classic 6th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2014.12.10"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C90"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2829"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "145"]
[EventDate "2014.12.10"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "5"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 164"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3
d6 9. c3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2 Nc6 12. Nf1 h6 13. Ne3 Re8 14. a4 Be6 15. h3 {
Adams stays true to his style and prefers a slow build-up of forces.} (15. d4 {
is a more dynamic choice which is quite testing for Black.} exd4 16. cxd4 Nxd4
(16... Nb4 $1 17. Bb1 Qb6 18. e5 dxe5 19. dxe5 Rad8 20. Qe2 Nfd5 21. Nf5 {
leads to a very sharp middlegame position that is hard to assess - both sides
have their trumps.}) 17. Nxd4 cxd4 18. Qxd4 {left White somewhat better in
Polgar,J (2722)-Aronian,L (2649) Hoogeveen 2003}) 15... Bf8 16. Nh2 b4 17. Bb3
$6 {= White seems somewhat worse after this, so perhaps it was already time to
start looking for improvements.} (17. a5 $1 {might be a good way to start,
trying to grab some valuable space on the queenside at the cost of a pawn.}
Nxa5 (17... d5 18. Ba4 Rc8 19. Nhg4 Nxg4 20. Nxg4 {gives White some initiative
at least}) 18. Ba4 Re7 (18... Bd7 $2 19. Bxd7 Nxd7 20. Qa4 Nb7 21. Bd2 {
gives White excellent compensation for the pawn}) 19. c4 $1 {White blocks the
centre so he can shift his attention to the kingside} Rc7 20. Nd5 {with easy
play on the kingside for White with f4, etc.}) 17... Rb8 ({Already Black can
start to take over the initiative with the thematic central break} 17... d5 $1
18. Nhg4 Nxg4 19. hxg4 d4 20. Bxe6 Rxe6 21. cxd4 Nxd4 $13) 18. Bc4 bxc3 19.
bxc3 d5 $1 20. Bxa6 Qa5 21. c4 $5 {An interesting but risky choice. Instead of
backing down, White sharpens the play even further.  Adams is a practical
player par excellence and always has been, hence the moniker "tricky Micky" 
One of the key attributes of practical play is to keep asking your opponent
difficult questions. In other words if you have a choice between two lines,
one of which is slightly worse for you but little chance of the opponent going
wrong, and a line which can be a lot worse in certain variations but contains
more chances for him to go wrong somewhere, you choose the second line every
time.} ({The more sedate} 21. Bb5 {would have enabled Black to keep the
advantage without the complications that ensue in the game after would have
enabled Black to keep the advantage without the complications that ensue in
the game after} Rxb5 22. exd5 Nxd5 $1 (22... Rbb8 23. dxe6 Rxe6 24. Bd2 $11)
23. Nc4 Qa8 24. axb5 Qxa1 25. bxc6 f6 $1 {where despite being a pawn to the
good, White will inevitably lose at least one back, and more importantly has
completely lost any hope of gaining the initiative.}) 21... Qxa6 (21... d4 {
Was the major alternative. This would lose the exchange, but Black would get a
rampaging initiative in return.} 22. Bb5 Rxb5 $1 23. cxb5 dxe3 24. bxc6 exf2+
25. Kxf2 c4 $1 {All of which looks extremely scary for White. The game might
conceivably continue with something like} 26. dxc4 Bb4 $1 27. Nf3 $1 Qb6+ 28.
Be3 Bxe1+ 29. Qxe1 Qxc6 {when Black seems better, though the game remains
terribly sharp.  Choosing between such tempting alternatives is one of the
hardest things in chess and must have been one of the factors that landed
Caruana in time trouble later.}) 22. exd5 Bxd5 23. cxd5 Nb4 24. Ra3 Nfxd5 25.
Neg4 f6 26. Nf1 Rbd8 27. Ng3 c4 $2 {Up to this point Fabiano had played pretty
much perfectly, as he so often does these days, but now he hands White an
opportunity.} ({In a way this game reminds me of some of these famous
Kasparov-Karpov battles in the Ruy Lopez from the 1980s - where on many
occasions it would look as if Karpov was overwhelming Kasparov on the
queenside, only for Gazza to launch an astonishing attack out of nowhere. 
That's why I like the Ruy Lopez for White - his king is always much safer.
Even if something goes horribly wrong there's always a good chance that a sac
at the right moment will destablise the Black position.  Even though Karpov
was more the victim than victor in those famous games, as a master of
prophylaxis he would surely have sensed the danger here and found} 27... Kh8 $1
{White is left with this weak structure, so there's no need to rush.} 28. a5 c4
29. dxc4 Nf4 30. Qa4 Nbd3 {winning material.}) 28. Nxh6+ $3 {A hammer blow!
All of a sudden White gains a huge attack out of nowhere.} gxh6 29. Qg4+ Kh8
30. dxc4 Ne7 31. Qh5 Ng8 32. Nf5 $5 {White chooses to amass his pieces before
the final assault, a very human way to play.} ({Incredibly the engine points
out that White can already sacrifice a second piece here with} 32. Bxh6 $5 Bxh6
(32... Nxh6 {makes White task easier after} 33. Nf5 Nd3 34. Nxh6 Re7 35. Re4
Qb6 36. Nf7+ Kg8 37. Nxd8 Qxd8 38. Rg4+ Bg7 39. Qf5 $18) 33. Nf5 Qe6 34. Nxh6
Rd7 35. Nf7+ Kg7 36. Rg3+ Kf8 37. Nh8 $1 Ke7 38. Rg7+ Kd8 39. Rxd7+ Kxd7 40.
Rd1+ Kc7 41. Nf7 {when White is better as the Black king remains exposed while
his pieces lack co-ordination.  But this line is the suggestion of an engine,
unsurprisingly enough, (who would play Nh8!) and caculating and assessing this
line accurately in the limited time available would be almost impossible for a
human player.}) 32... Qb7 (32... Qa7 33. Rg3 Qh7 34. Ba3 $1 Nd3 35. Bxf8 Rxf8
36. Rg7 Nxe1 37. Rxh7+ Kxh7 38. Qg4 Rf7 39. c5 {and despite his small material
disadvantage White stands incredibly well - the Black position is just in too
much disarray.}) 33. Rg3 Qh7 34. Nh4 $2 ({I ran into Mickey later in the
Persian resturant opposite the venue (he was there with his wife, Tara,
looking forward to a quiet meal when luck would have it they ran into the gorm)
and he pointed out that he could have won here with} 34. Re4 $1 {when Black's
defences collapse under the weight of White's forces -} Nd3 35. Reg4 Nxc1 36.
Rxg8+ Qxg8 37. Rxg8+ Kxg8 38. Qg6+ Kh8 39. Nxh6 $18 {It was interesting that I
suggested to Mickey after the game that I thought Black was even better at one
point during the complications he reply was to the point - "maybe, but he has
a very bad king"  Players of that level seem to think in very sweeping, broad
terms. I might be thinking negatively, that Fabiano would beat off my attack
and win with the extra piece, but Adams is thinking in very much deeper,
strategic terms.}) 34... Ne7 35. Ba3 Nbc6 36. Kh2 Bg7 37. Bxe7 Nxe7 38. Rd1 Qg8
$1 {Fab plays this part of the game very well. He keeps finding the only moves
to fend off the White initiative.} 39. Rb1 Rb8 40. Rd1 Red8 41. c5 {White's
attack has fizzled out to some extent, but Black remains with this bad king.
Over the board it's extremely difficult to play this for Black, as not only do
you have to worry about your exposed king but you have to keep an eye on
White's queenside passers as well. Fabiano quickly goes wrong.} Rxd1 (41... Rd4
$5 42. Rxd4 exd4 43. Qe2 Re8 44. c6 f5 45. c7 {also looks quite dangerous for
Black. Even if objectively the correct assement is "draw by perpetual check",
over the board it's not easy to find all these perfect defensive moves.}) 42.
Qxd1 Rb4 $2 (42... Rd8 $1 43. Rd3 Rxd3 44. Qxd3 Qc8 45. Qb5 e4 46. a5 f5 47.
Qb6 Be5+ 48. g3 Kg7 49. a6 f4 {is still completely messy of course, but Black
should have enough counterplay to at least not be losing.}) 43. Qd7 $1 Rxh4 44.
Qxe7 {It turns out that the passed pawns are now almost unstoppable. Adams
does not give Black any more chances to save the game.} Rd4 45. c6 Qf8 46. Qb7
Rb4 47. Qd7 Rd4 48. Qb7 Rb4 49. Rc3 $1 f5 50. Qd7 Rd4 51. Qe6 Rd6 52. Qxd6 Qxd6
53. c7 e4+ 54. g3 Bxc3 55. c8=Q+ Kh7 56. Qxc3 $18 f4 57. gxf4 Qxf4+ 58. Qg3 Qd2
59. Qc7+ Kg6 60. Qb6+ Kh7 61. Qb7+ Kh8 62. Qa8+ Kg7 63. Qxe4 Kf6 64. Qf3+ Kg6
65. Kg2 Qa2 66. Qe4+ Kf6 67. Qf4+ Kg6 68. Qd6+ Kg7 69. Qe5+ Kh7 70. a5 Qg8+ 71.
Kh2 Qf7 72. Qe4+ Kg7 73. a6 1-0

[Event "Grenke Chess Classic 3rd"]
[Site "Baden-Baden"]
[Date "2015.02.09"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Anand, Viswanathan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2797"]
[Annotator "Mokal,P"]
[PlyCount "177"]
[EventDate "2015.02.02"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 165"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.03.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bf4 Bd6 11. Bg5 Nbd7 12. Nc3 h6 13. Bxf6 Nxf6 14. a5 Qe7
15. Nh4 $146 {A new but harmless continuation.} (15. Nd2 Bd5 $5 16. Bxd5 exd5
17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Qxd5 Qxe2 19. Ne4 $11 {In spite of White's centralized
pieces Black had a holdable position in Giri,A (2734)-Aronian,L (2812)/Wijk
aan Zee 2014/CBM 159/[Marin,M] (48)}) (15. Rfd1 Bd5 16. Qd3 Bxf3 $5 17. Bxf3 c6
{Black is solid but many games can be played from this position. The game in
which it arose for the first time was later drawn. It was Wang Yue - Radjabov,
T, China, 2013.}) ({According to Mihail Marin in CBM 159, in the following
game, White played Nf3-d2 after some moving back and forth by both sides:} 15.
Rfe1 Bb4 16. Rec1 Rfd8 17. e3 Bd6 18. Nd2 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 c5 20. dxc5 Bxg3 21.
Nf3 Bc7 $132 {Bukavshin,I (2476)-Lysyj,I (2624) St Petersburg 2012 (1/2, 32)})
15... Bxg2 16. Kxg2 {Black's typical freeing breaks in such structures are ...
c5 or ...e5.} Rfd8 (16... c5 $5 {comes into consideration. The question here
is whether White will have some play on the light squares in and around the
centre.} 17. d5 exd5 (17... g5 18. Nf3 exd5 19. Nxd5 Nxd5 20. Qxd5 Rad8 21. Qf5
$13) 18. Nxd5 Nxd5 19. Qxd5 Rfd8 20. Nf5 Qc7 21. Qf3 Rac8 22. Ne3 $13 {[%cal
Ge3d5]}) (16... e5 $2 17. Ng6 $18) 17. e4 Bb4 {[%csl Re4] Avoiding the fork
and at the same time threatening the e4-pawn.} 18. e5 Nd5 19. Nf5 Qd7 ({
An interesting alternative was} 19... Qf8 $5 {with the idea of immediately
playing...c5 after the N retreats from f5.} 20. Ne3 Bxc3 21. bxc3 c5 22. Rac1 (
22. Rab1 $6 Nxc3 $1 23. Qxc3 cxd4 $15) (22. dxc5 Nxe3+ 23. fxe3 Rd2+ 24. Rf2
Rxf2+ 25. Kxf2 Rc8 $15) 22... Qe7 $11 {[%cal Ge7c7,Gc7a5] Black is doing fine.}
) 20. Ne3 Bxc3 21. bxc3 Qb5 22. Qxb5 axb5 23. Rfc1 c5 {Black has other ways of
playing this position but this freeing move seems like a comfortable equaliser.
} 24. Nxd5 (24. dxc5 Nxe3+ 25. fxe3 Rd5 $11) 24... Rxd5 25. Rcb1 cxd4 26. cxd4
Rc8 ({With both the Rs keeping an eye on at least one P, another idea was to
first improve the K and the pawn structure with} 26... g5 $5 {[%cal Gd5d4,
Ga8a5]} 27. Kf3 Kg7 28. Ke3 (28. Ke4 Kg6 29. Rb4 f6 (29... Ra6 $5 $11) 30. exf6
Kxf6 $11) 28... Kg6 29. h3 (29. Rc1 b4 30. Rcb1 {is similar.}) 29... h5 30. Rc1
(30. Kd3 Rad8 $11) (30. Rb4 f6 31. exf6 Kxf6 $11) 30... b4 31. Rcb1 Raxa5 32.
Rxa5 Rxa5 33. Rxb4 b5 34. Ke4 Ra2 $11) 27. Rb4 Rc4 28. Rab1 Rcxd4 29. Rxd4 Rxd4
30. Rxb5 Rd7 $6 {A perplexing decision. Conventional wisdom advices to keep
the rook active. It is hard to believe that an ex-World Champion would not
want to keep his R active. Most probably Anand saw a draw in both ...Ra4 and ..
.Rd7. I don't think that Anand tossed a coin! I believe he chose the latter
simply because there is less calculation, and no apparent risk of a white king
march to the queenside. At least at first sight.} ({I wonder why Anand
rejected the more active placement of the rook with} 30... Ra4 {seems better.
With rook behind the pawn (here, the opponent's pawn) there should be enough
counterplay to make a draw.} 31. Kf3 (31. f4 g5 32. Kf3 gxf4 33. gxf4 h5 34. h4
Kf8 (34... Kg7 $5 35. f5 exf5 36. Rxb7 Rxa5 37. e6 (37. Kf4 Ra6 $11) 37... Ra4
38. Rxf7+ Kg6 39. Rf8 Re4 $11) 35. Ke3 Kg7) (31. h4 g5 32. h5 (32. hxg5 hxg5
33. Kf3 Kg7 34. Ke3 Kg6 35. g4 Rxg4 36. Rxb7 Ra4 $11) 32... g4 {[%csl Ga4]
This is an important change compared to the game. The move...g4 uses the
rook's effective placement.} 33. Kf1 Ra2 (33... Kf8 34. Ke2 Ra3 35. Rc5) 34.
Rb4 Rxa5 35. Rxg4+ Kf8 36. Re4 Rb5 (36... Ra8 37. Rb4) 37. Ke2 Rb2+ 38. Kf3 b5
$11) 31... g5 32. g4 (32. Ke3 Kg7 33. Kd3 g4 34. Kc3 Kg6 (34... Ra2 35. Kc4)
35. Kb3 Ra1 36. Kc4 Rc1+ 37. Kd4 (37. Kb4 Kg5 $11 {[%cal Gb1b7]}) 37... Rc7 $11
{[%csl Gg6] The black king is healthier here, than in the game.}) 32... Kg7 33.
Kg3 Ra3+ 34. f3 Kg6 35. Kf2 Ra2+ 36. Ke3 Ra4 37. Kd3 h5 38. h3 h4 39. Kc3 Ra2
40. Kb4 Rh2 41. Kc5 Rxh3 42. Rxb7 Rxf3 43. Rb8 Ra3 44. Kb4 Ra1 45. Rg8+ Kh6 46.
Kb5 Rb1+ 47. Kc6 (47. Ka6 Rb4 $19) 47... Ra1 48. Kb6 Rb1+ 49. Kc6 (49. Ka7 Rb4
50. a6 Rxg4 51. Kb6 Ra4 $11) 49... Ra1 $11) 31. Kf3 g5 32. h4 Kg7 33. h5 f6 ({
If Black continues passively White has good chances to push for a win. For
example} 33... Kh7 34. Kg4 Kg7 35. f4 gxf4 36. gxf4 Kh7 37. f5 $1 exf5+ 38.
Kxf5 Kg7 39. e6 $1 fxe6+ 40. Kxe6 Rf7 41. Rd5 Rf6+ 42. Kd7 Rf7+ 43. Kc8 $16)
34. exf6+ Kxf6 35. g4 Ke7 36. Ke4 Kf6 37. Rb3 Ke7 (37... Rd5 38. Rxb7 Rxa5 39.
Rh7 {would have probably saved some ink and paper.}) 38. f3 Kf6 39. Rb6 Ke7 40.
Rb5 Kf6 41. Rb3 ({Sooner or later White's best try is likely to be} 41. Rc5 {
but it does not seem to cause too much trouble if Black plays accurately.} Kf7
42. Rc8 Rd5 43. Rc7+ Kg8 44. Rxb7 Rxa5 45. Re7 Ra4+ 46. Ke5 Rf4 47. Rxe6 Kh7
48. Rf6 Ra4 $11) 41... Ke7 42. Rd3 Rc7 43. Kd4 Kf6 44. Rb3 Rf7 45. Rb5 Rc7 46.
Rb4 (46. Rc5 Rd7+ 47. Kc4 Rd1 48. Rb5 Rc1+ 49. Kd4 Rc7 $11) 46... Ke7 47. Rc4
Rd7+ 48. Kc5 Rd6 49. Rb4 Rc6+ 50. Kb5 Rd6 51. Rb3 Kf6 (51... Kd7 $5 52. Kc5
Rd5+ 53. Kb6 (53. Kb4 Kc6 54. Rc3+ Kd7 55. Rc5 Rd1 $11) 53... Kc8 54. Rc3+ Kb8
55. Rc4 Rd6+ 56. Kb5 Rd5+ 57. Ka4 Rd3 58. f4 gxf4 59. Rxf4 Kc7 60. Rf6 Rd4+ 61.
Kb5 Rxg4 62. Rxh6 Rg5+ 63. Kb4 Rg4+ 64. Kc3 Rh4 $11) 52. Kc5 Rc6+ 53. Kd4 Rd6+
54. Ke4 Rd7 55. Rb6 Rd5 {This does not lose, but White had not made any
significant progress, so it is not clear why Black decided to switch gears.
Probably Anand got bored and saw that even if he loses the h6P White cannot
make progress. It he had not blundered later, this would have very well been
the case.} (55... Ke7 56. f4 gxf4 57. Kxf4 Kf6 $11) 56. Rxb7 Rxa5 57. Rh7 Ra4+
58. Ke3 Ra3+ 59. Kf2 Ra2+ 60. Kg3 Ra3 61. Rxh6+ Kf7 62. Rh7+ Kf6 63. Rd7 Ra2
64. Rd3 Rb2 65. Re3 Rb4 66. Re2 Ra4 67. Kf2 Ra3 68. Rd2 Ra4 69. Ke3 Ra3+ 70.
Ke4 Ra4+ 71. Rd4 Ra1 72. Ke3 Ra3+ 73. Rd3 Ra4 74. Rb3 Ra1 75. Rb7 Ra3+ 76. Kf2
Ra2+ 77. Kg3 Ra3 78. Rb8 Kf7 79. Rb1 Kf6 80. Re1 Ra4 81. Kf2 Ra2+ 82. Kg3 Ra4
83. Rh1 Ra7 84. Kf2 Ke5 $4 {This is the decisive mistake. The K was badly
needed to block White's hP.} ({Black would have still been able to hold with} 
84... Ra2+ $142 85. Ke3 Ra3+ 86. Kd4 Ra4+ 87. Kc5 Kg7 88. Rh3 (88. Kd6 Ra3 89.
Rh3 (89. Rf1 Kf6 $11) 89... Re3 90. Ke7 Kh6 91. Kf6 e5 $11) (88. Re1 Kf7 (88...
Kf6 $6 89. h6 Kf7 90. Rh1 Kg8 91. h7+ Kh8 92. Rh3 $16) 89. h6 (89. Re4 Ra5+ 90.
Kb4 (90. Kd4 Ra3 91. f4 Ra4+ 92. Ke5 Ra5+ 93. Kd6 Ra6+ 94. Kc5 Kf6 95. fxg5+ (
95. h6 gxf4 96. Rxf4+ Kg6 97. g5 Ra5+ 98. Kd6 Rxg5 $11) 95... Kxg5 96. Kd4 Kf6
97. Ke3 e5 98. Kf3 Ra3+ 99. Re3 Ra5 100. Kg3 Kg5 101. Rf3 e4 $11) 90... Ra1 91.
f4 Kf6 $1 92. fxg5+ (92. h6 Rh1 $11) 92... Kxg5 93. Kc4 Rd1 94. Rd4 Re1 95. Kd3
e5 (95... Rd1+ 96. Ke3 Re1+) 96. Re4 Ra1 97. Ke3 (97. Kc4 Rd1 98. Kc5 Rd2 $11)
97... Ra3+ 98. Ke2 Rb3 99. Kf2 Ra3 100. Kg2 Ra2+ 101. Kf3 Ra3+ 102. Re3 e4+
103. Kf2 (103. Kxe4 Ra4+ 104. Kf3 Rf4+ $11) 103... Ra2+ 104. Kg3 Ra4 105. Rb3
Ra5 $11) 89... Ra3 90. Rh1 (90. h7 Kg7 91. Rxe6 Rxf3 $11) 90... Kg8 $11) (88.
h6+ Kh7 89. Rh5 Ra3 $11) 88... Ra5+ 89. Kd6 Kf7 90. h6 Rd5+ 91. Kc7 Kg8 92. Rh1
Rd3 $11) 85. h6 Ra2+ (85... Rh7 86. Ke3 Kf6 87. Ke4 $18 {[%csl Rh7][%cal Ge4e5]
With the rook stuck on h7, Black has to give way.}) 86. Kg3 Ra8 87. h7 Rh8 88.
Rh6 Kd6 89. Kf2 {[%csl Rh8] Black's loss in this comparatively irrelevant last
round game seems more due to psychological factors than 'chessical' ones.} ({
Again the rook is stuck and the white king will finish the game off.} 89. Kf2
Ke7 90. Ke3 Kf7 91. Ke4 Kg7 92. Rh5 Kf6 (92... Rxh7 93. Rxh7+ Kxh7 94. Ke5 $18)
93. Rh1 Kg6 94. Ke5 Kf7 95. Rh5 $18) 1-0

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 2nd"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2015.04.25"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B80"]
[WhiteElo "2745"]
[BlackElo "2790"]
[Annotator "Gormally,D"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2015.04.17"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 166"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.05.11"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 e6 7. Bg2 Be7 8. O-O
O-O 9. a4 Nc6 10. Be3 Rb8 {Giri deviates from a previous game where he played
the more normal ...Qc7. The rook going to this square is very common in this
variation, perhaps to support a later ...b5, but in this particular position
it's very rare.} (10... Qc7 11. f4 (11. Qe2 Re8 12. f4 Rb8 13. Kh1 Nxd4 14.
Bxd4 b6 15. e5 Nd7 16. Ne4 Bb7 17. exd6 Bxd6 18. Nxd6 Bxg2+ 19. Qxg2 Qxd6 20.
Rad1 Qc7 {Dzhumaev,M (2549)-Sasikiran,K (2669) Manila 2013, White got nothing
from the opening and later got ground down.}) 11... Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bd7 13. Kh1
Bc6 14. Qe2 Rac8 15. g4 Nd7 16. g5 e5 17. Be3 exf4 18. Bxf4 Ne5 {Zherebukh,Y 
(2628)-Giri,A (2730) Germany 2012., Giri was fine but later lost.}) ({The
immediate} 10... Bd7 {is also very common.} 11. Qe2 Nxd4 12. Bxd4 Bc6 13. a5
Nd7 14. Rfd1 Re8 15. Na4 Bf6 $6 16. Bxf6 Qxf6 17. Rxd6 {Leko,P (2735)-L'Ami,E 
(2627) Wijk aan Zee 2013, left White better.}) 11. f4 Qc7 12. Kh1 Bd7 (12...
Nxd4 13. Bxd4 (13. Qxd4 $5 Ng4 14. Qb6 $1) 13... Bd7 14. e5 $1 {and Black has
to retreat to a more passive square on e8. I'm not sure how bad this is after}
Ne8 15. Ne4 {but it's not exactly what Black wants.}) 13. Nb3 $1 {As White has
a space advantage it makes sense to retain as much wood on the board as
possible.} (13. g4 Nxd4 14. Bxd4 Bc6 {is a standard equalising idea for Black.}
15. g5 Nd7 {and he's ready to hit back in the centre with ...e5.}) 13... b6 14.
g4 h6 {as Giri lacks the usual retreat square for the knight on d7, he is
anxious to delay g5 for as long as possible. But of course moving the pawns on
the kingside like this always entails a certain amount of risk.} 15. Qe2 (15.
h4 $5 {but this is more Shirov-like than Adamsesque.}) 15... Nb4 16. Nd4 Rbc8
17. Rad1 Qc4 18. Qf3 e5 19. Nf5 Bxf5 20. exf5 exf4 21. Rd4 Qc7 22. Bxf4 Nxc2 $2
{But this is way too optimistic. White is clearly on the verge of building up
a potentially killing kingside attack and grabbing a fairly pointless pawn
like this, is an indulgence too far.} (22... Qc5 $1 {was essential. Perhaps
Giri lost faith in his position at this point but it doesn't seem that bad:}
23. Rd2 d5 24. Be5 (24. Be3 Qc4 $5 {should also be fine} (24... Qc7 {looks
simple and good} 25. h4 Bc5 26. g5 {now looks like a much more double-edged
attack than in the game, if nothing else Black can force an endgame with} Bxe3
27. Qxe3 Qh2+ $1 (27... Rfe8 $5 28. Qf3 Ne4 $1) 28. Kxh2 Ng4+ 29. Kg1 Nxe3 30.
Rff2 hxg5 31. hxg5 Rfd8 {with a bit of a mess}) 25. Rd4 Qc7 {when Black has
useful counterplay coming with ...Nc6-e5}) 24... Rfe8 $1 25. Bd4 (25. h4 $2 {
looks like over-extension after the blow} Ne4 $1) (25. Rfd1 {can also be met
the same way:} Ne4 $1 26. Nxe4 dxe4 27. Qxe4 Bg5 28. Bd6 Rxe4 29. Bxc5 Rxg4 {
looks terrible for White}) 25... Qc7 {when Black has far more of a foothold in
the centre than in the game.}) (22... Nc6 $2 23. Rc4 $18) 23. Rd2 Nb4 24. h4 $1
{I wonder if Giri underestimated Adams' attacking abilities in this game.
Perhaps he didn't believe that the Cornishman would play h4 at all. I used to
watch Adams play when I was younger and he would seemingly inevitably push his
h-pawn up the board at some point - I never really understood at the time why
this was so strong, but it always seemed to be and this way of cracking the
opposition defences was also a speciality of Fischer and Kasparov. Now White
has a terrible threat of g5 but it turns out that Black cannot prevent it for
tactical reasons.} Nh7 25. g5 $1 {This pawn is poisoned and therefore Black
can't prevent the breakthrough f6, which has catastrophic consquences for his
defensive position.} (25. Ne4 {is also strong, but it's hard to resist the
urge to break open the kingside immediately.} Bxh4 $2 26. Bxd6 Qc4 27. b3 $1)
25... Qc4 (25... hxg5 26. hxg5 Nxg5 (26... Bxg5 {loses trivially to} 27. Bxg5
Nxg5 28. Qg4 $18) 27. Qh5 {and it requires only elementary calculation to see
that Black will be promptly mated down the h-file.} Nh7 (27... f6 28. Nd5 $18)
28. Bf3 (28. Bd5 Nf6 29. Qh3 Nfxd5 30. Nxd5 Nxd5 31. Rh2 $1 f6 32. Rg1 $1 {
is one neat line although hardly necessary}) 28... Nf6 29. Qh3 {with a
harrowing attack.} Rfe8 30. Rg1 $1 Kf8 31. Qh8+ Ng8 32. Qxg7#) 26. f6 $1 gxf6
27. gxf6 (27. gxh6 {is also terribly strong. Basically one glance at the
position is enough to see that things have gone really badly for Black.  The
biggest danger for White I can see is that he has such a dazzling array of
attacking possibilities that it would be easy to lose your way.} Kh8 28. Re1 $5
(28. Ne4 d5 29. Ng3 Bc5 {might not be so convincing.}) 28... Rc7 (28... Bd8 29.
Bxd6 Rg8 30. Re4 $18) (28... Nc6 {might be a better try, with the idea of
meeting} 29. Nd5 {with} Ne5 $1 {but after} 30. Qh3 {Black's defence still
looks torturous} (30. Bxe5 Qxh4+ $1 {is the clever point.})) 29. Re4 Qb3 30.
Rde2 $18) 27... Bxf6 ({After the alternative} 27... Nxf6 {if nothing else
White has the simple} 28. Bxh6 Qxh4+ 29. Qh3 Qxh3+ 30. Bxh3 {winning the
exchange while retaining a commanding position.}) 28. Ne4 Be5 29. Rxd6 $1 {
A crunching blow.} Bg7 (29... Bxd6 30. Nxd6 Qd3 (30... Qe6 31. Bh3 f5 32. Qg3+
$1 Kh8 33. Be5+ {is a massacre}) (30... Qc5 31. Qg3+ Kh8 32. Nxf7+ $1 Rxf7 33.
Be5+ Nf6 34. Rxf6 {is rather neat if straightforward.}) 31. Nxc8 $1 Qxf3 (31...
Rxc8 32. Qg4+ $18) 32. Ne7+ $18) 30. Bxh6 Bxh6 31. Rxh6 Rc6 (31... Rfe8 32.
Qg4+ Kh8 33. Nf6 $1) 32. Qg4+ Kh8 33. Rxh7+ 1-0

[Event "Biel GM 48th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2015.07.20"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Navara, David"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B91"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2724"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "111"]
[EventDate "2015.07.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. g3 e5 7. Nde2 Be7 8. Bg2
{Adams chooses a solid line against the Najdorf. Usually he feels very
comfortable in this type of position.} b5 (8... O-O) ({and} 8... Nbd7 {are
more common continuations.}) 9. Nd5 (9. O-O {has also been played, but the
text move is more ambitious.}) 9... Nbd7 10. Nec3 Bb7 11. a4 Nxd5 12. Nxd5 O-O
$146 {A novelty by Navara.} ({Recently Grischuk played} 12... Nf6 13. axb5 Nxd5
14. exd5 axb5 15. Rxa8 Qxa8 16. Qd3 O-O 17. O-O Bc8 18. Be3 Bd7 $11 {
Carlsen-Grischuk, Stavanger 2015, should be an equal position, but White
managed to win.}) 13. axb5 axb5 14. Rxa8 Bxa8 15. O-O Nc5 $6 {An inaccuracy,
which only helps White.} (15... Nf6 $5) 16. b4 Ne6 17. h4 $1 {White has a
slight advantage, he avoided ...Bg5. The position is very similar to the
Sveshnikov Variation, White holds the d5-square and Black fights for equality}
Bxd5 ({In the event of} 17... Nc7 18. Nxe7+ Qxe7 19. Qd3 $14) 18. Qxd5 Nd4 (
18... Qc7 19. Be3 Qxc2 20. Qxb5 $16 {and thanks to the b-P and two Bs, White's
chances are better.}) 19. c3 Ne2+ 20. Kh2 Nxc1 ({If} 20... Nxc3 21. Qd3 Qc7 22.
Bd2 $16 {and White gains back the b5-P.}) 21. Rxc1 Qb6 22. Kg1 Rb8 23. Ra1 {
The opposite coloured Bs are only helpful for White, because the b5-P will be
an unpleasant target, which he can't protect after Bf1 and Ra5.} g6 24. Ra8 (
24. Bf1 $5 {was the alternative,} Qb7 25. Qxb7 Rxb7 26. Ra5 Rc7 27. Rxb5 Rxc3
28. Rb7 $14 {and White continues his long torture.}) 24... Rxa8 25. Qxa8+ Kg7
26. Bf1 (26. Qc8 $5 {was also strong.}) 26... Qc7 27. Qe8 Bf6 $6 {Too passive.}
({Probably} 27... d5 $1 {was tougher} 28. Qxb5 (28. exd5 e4 $1 29. Kg2 Qe5 $132
{with some practical counterchances.}) 28... Qxc3 29. Qxd5 Bxb4 30. Bc4 Kh6 31.
Qxf7 Qe1+ 32. Kh2 Qxe4 {and Black survives.}) 28. Bxb5 Qxc3 $6 {The most human
reaction, but this move allows White's strong reply!} ({Even now} 28... d5 $1 {
was the best practical chance} 29. Qc6 $1 (29. exd5 Qxc3 $132) 29... Qxc6 30.
Bxc6 dxe4 31. Bxe4 Be7 {and still Black can hope for some drawish chances.})
29. Bc6 $1 {White prepares for Bd5, his main target is the f7-P.} Qf3 (29...
Qxb4 $2 {does not work as} 30. Bd5 $18 {and White wins.}) 30. Qd7 $1 {The
strongest reply by Adams! Now the white K is completely safe.} ({The careless} 
30. Bd5 $2 {could have been met by} Bxh4 $1 31. gxh4 Qg4+ $11 {with perpetual
check.}) 30... g5 31. hxg5 (31. Bd5 $1 {was more accurate} gxh4 32. Qxf7+ Kh6
33. Qf8+ Kg6 34. Bf7+ Kg5 35. gxh4+ Kf4 36. Be6 $1 $18 {and White is winning.})
31... Bxg5 32. Qxd6 Qc3 33. Kg2 $1 {A nice cool-headed reaction. The K is safe
on g2 and now White is ready to push his b-P.} Qb2 $1 {Still the best chance.}
34. Qc5 (34. b5 $2 {does not work, because of} Be3 $1) 34... Qd4 35. Qxd4 exd4
36. f4 Be7 37. b5 {White is only one P up in this opposite coloured B endgame,
however the b-P is too dangerous, in my opinion White should be winning.} Bc5
38. e5 d3 39. Be4 d2 40. Bc2 f6 41. exf6+ Kxf6 42. Kf3 h5 43. Ke2 Bd6 44. Ke3 (
44. Kxd2 $2 h4 45. gxh4 Bxf4+ 46. Kd3 Bc7 $11 {and a draw, as Black will
sacrifice his B for the b-P.}) 44... Bc7 45. Bd1 h4 (45... Bb6+ 46. Kxd2 Bf2
47. g4 hxg4 48. Bxg4 $18 {with a theoretically winning endgame.}) 46. gxh4 Kf5
47. Bc2+ Kg4 48. Ke4 Kxh4 (48... Bxf4 49. Bd1+ Kg3 50. h5 $18 {is also
hopeless for Black.}) 49. Bd1 Bd8 50. Kd5 Kg3 51. f5 Kf4 52. Ke6 Ke4 53. Bc2+
Kd4 54. Kd7 Bb6 55. f6 Kc3 56. Bd1 {What a nice victory by Adams!} 1-0

[Event "Biel GM 48th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2015.07.25"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Navara, David"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D36"]
[WhiteElo "2724"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Krasenkow,M"]
[PlyCount "74"]
[EventDate "2015.07.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 e6 2. Nc3 d5 3. d4 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 c6 6. e3 h6 7. Bh4 Be7 8. Qc2
Nbd7 9. Bd3 Nh5 {A simple continuation. The resulting position is more
pleasant for White but it is not so easy for him to break Black's defences.}
10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Nge2 (11. O-O-O {is another plan seen in Aronian - Carlsen 
(Baden-Baden 2015).}) (11. Nf3 {is illogical and can be met with} Nf4) 11...
Nb6 (11... O-O {is premature: after} 12. O-O-O {White's kingside attack will
be more dangerous than Black's as the position of Black's king has been
weakened by ...h7-h6. E.g.} Nhf6 13. Rdg1 Re8 14. g4 Nf8 15. h3 b5 16. g5 hxg5
17. Rxg5 Bd7 18. Rhg1 Ne6 19. R5g2 b4 20. Na4 Kf8 21. Bf5 $40 {1-0 (39)
Kalesis,N (2395)-Paidousis,A (2135) Athens 1997}) 12. O-O ({Here, too,} 12.
O-O-O {is possible, e.g.} Be6 13. Kb1 O-O-O 14. Nc1 Kb8 15. Nb3 Bc8 16. Ka1 Nd7
17. Rc1 Nhf6 18. Rhe1 Qd6 19. h3 Rhe8 20. f3 Qg3 21. a4 Nb6 22. e4 $14 {
1-0 (52) Sakaev,K (2619)-Matsenko,S (2429) Budva 2009}) 12... O-O 13. Rae1 {
[%cal Yf2f3,Ye3e4,Ye2c1,Yc1b3] White starts preparing e3-e4, which is the
standard plan when he develops his knight to e2. It now goes to c1-b3 and then
possibly to c5 or a5.} (13. Rab1 $143 a5 $1 (13... Bg4 14. b4 a6 15. a4 Bxe2
16. Nxe2 Rfc8 17. Qc5 Qc7 18. Bf5 Nc4 19. b5 $14 {1-0 (62) Macieja,B (2612)
-Simonian,H (2461) Warsaw 2011}) 14. Qb3 Qd8 (14... Qb4 $5 {M.Marin}) 15. Na4
Nxa4 16. Qxa4 Bg4 17. Nc3 Re8 18. Qc2 Qg5 19. Kh1 Nf6 20. a3 Qh5 21. b4 axb4
22. axb4 Bf3 $5 23. gxf3 Qxf3+ 24. Kg1 Qg4+ 25. Kh1 Qf3+ 26. Kg1 Qg4+ 27. Kh1
Qf3+ {1/2 (27) Leko,P (2737)-Adams,M (2740) Dortmund 2013 CBM 156 [Marin,M]})
13... Be6 (13... Bd7 {0-1 (54) Murdzia,P (2449)-Feygin,M (2512) Germany 2014}
14. Nc1 $1) (13... Re8 14. Nc1 Nf6 15. Nb3 Be6 (15... Qc7 $5 16. h3 (16. f3 $5)
16... Be6 {S.Smagin} 17. Ne2 $14) 16. Nc5 Qc7 17. b4 Nbd7 18. Nb3 Nb6 19. f3
Rad8 20. Qf2 Nc4 21. Nc5 Bc8 22. e4 b6 23. Nb3 Qe7 24. e5 Nh7 25. b5 cxb5 26.
Nxb5 Nf8 27. Nc3 Qb4 28. Rc1 Bb7 29. f4 $36 {1-0 (72) Vyzmanavin,A (2605)
-Smagin,S (2545) Elista 1995 CBM 050 [Baburin]}) 14. Nc1 Rad8 15. Nb3 Rfe8 {
Black is well-prepared for White's play in the centre so White switches to the
queenside.} 16. Nc5 Bc8 17. b4 $6 ({But here} 17. Ne2 {, preventing Black's
reply, was more accurate.}) 17... Nc4 $1 18. Qe2 Qg5 19. f4 (19. Bxc4 $142 dxc4
20. f3 (20. Qxc4 $2 Bh3) 20... Nf6 {[%cal Rf6d5]} 21. Qxc4 Bh3 22. Rf2 Rxe3 $1
23. Rxe3 Qxe3 24. gxh3 Rxd4 25. Qb3 Qc1+ 26. Kg2 Qg5+ 27. Kf1 {- Black has
nothing better than a perpetual.}) 19... Qh4 20. Bxc4 dxc4 21. g3 $2 {[%mdl
8192] An unfortunate continuation, after which Black sacrifices a piece and
obtains a strong attack.} (21. Qxc4 Nxf4 $15) 21... Nxg3 22. hxg3 Qxg3+ 23. Kh1
(23. Qg2 Rxe3) 23... Qh3+ 24. Qh2 (24. Kg1 $2 Rd6 $19) 24... Rxe3 25. Nd1 Rxe1
26. Qxh3 Bxh3 27. Rxe1 b6 28. Ne4 Rxd4 {Four pawns are more than enough for a
piece; Black confidently converts his advantage.} 29. Kh2 Bf5 30. Ndc3 Rd3 31.
b5 {This only helps Black to create a queenside pawn avalanche.} cxb5 32. Nxb5
Bd7 $1 33. a4 a6 34. Nc7 Bxa4 35. Nxa6 c3 36. Nb4 Rd4 37. Na2 Rd2+ 0-1

[Event "Biel GM 48th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2015.07.27"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Rapport, Richard"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C06"]
[WhiteElo "2740"]
[BlackElo "2671"]
[Annotator "Illingworth,M"]
[PlyCount "236"]
[EventDate "2015.07.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{This game was played just after the rest day and prior to it, Adams was on
50%, half a point off the lead, while Rapport was in last place.} 1. e4 e6 2.
d4 d5 3. Nd2 Be7 {This flexible waiting move is a trendy alternative to} (3...
Nf6 {and}) (3... c5) 4. Ngf3 {The other major options for White are} (4. e5 c5
5. c3 Nc6 6. Bd3 {[%csl Rd4,Rg7][%cal Yd1g4] , indirectly covering d4 by
preparing Qg4 as required, and the old main line}) (4. Bd3 c5 5. dxc5 Nf6 6.
Qe2) 4... Nf6 5. Bd3 (5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bd3 c5 7. c3 {transposes to the game.})
5... c5 6. e5 Nfd7 7. c3 Nc6 (7... b6 {is an independent option, however I
believe White obtains slightly better chances with} 8. Qe2 a5 9. Bb5 $5 Ba6 10.
a4 $1 {[%csl Rb8,Rd7][%cal Ya4b5] when the queenside is stabilised by the
positional idea of recapturing on b5 with the pawn, while White can steadily
build up on the kingside where he has a space advantage.}) 8. O-O {It has to
be said that Rapport was quite brave to enter this variation, given that Adams
has a 100% score with it as White! True, this was mainly against much
lower-rated players.} h5 {This move is not totally ridiculous - Black wants to
play a later ...g5, but where White's options are momentarily restricted as if
he plays like he would against 8...g5 (with 9.dxc5 and so forth), the black
king is not as exposed. While it is the recommendation of the Hiarcs Book, I
don't entirely buy it.} (8... g5 {is a major line, but White has scored well
with} 9. dxc5 {, opening the position once Black's king lacks a good hideout.})
(8... a5 {is the main line, when play can proceed} 9. Re1 cxd4 10. cxd4 Qb6 {
, grabbing a pawn, but the theory shows that White obtains good compensation,
like a Korchnoi Gambit Accepted.} (10... g5 {is another approach altogether,
arguably more effective when White doesn't have dxc5 as a response, or the e1
square for his knight to retreat to in response to ...g4.})) 9. Qe2 $1 {
A pretty natural move, especially considering that Adams was surprised and in
such cases you doesn't want to go for totally irrational positions.} (9. Nb1 {
is getting a bit too sophisticated after} g5 10. Be2 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qb6 {
and with White losing so much time (first Nb1 then Be2), he can't be better
and actually I think Black is doing superbly after} 12. Nc3 g4 13. Na4 gxf3 $1
14. Nxb6 fxe2 15. Qxe2 Nxb6 $15 {as the three pieces are very stable, and the
queen doesn't have proper targets.}) (9. dxc5 {as discussed before is less
effective here than after 8...g5; if we compare} Ndxe5 10. Nxe5 Nxe5 11. Nb3
Nxd3 12. Qxd3 Bd7 {, with a pawn on g5 White would have the f4 lever to open
the position, whereas now Black will be quite safe after} 13. Re1 O-O 14. Bf4
h4 $11 {, in fact with such a centre only he can be better.}) (9. Re1 {is also
a good move:} cxd4 ({or} 9... g5 10. dxc5 Nxc5 11. Nb3 Nxd3 12. Qxd3 Bd7 13.
Nfd4 $14) 10. cxd4 g5 11. Nb3 {(with ...a5 instead of ...h5 played, ...a4
would be good now, but here White is solid)} g4 12. Nfd2 Nb4 13. Nb1 Nxd3 14.
Qxd3 a5 15. a4 b6 16. Nc3 Ba6 17. Nb5 $14 {and I like White's grip over the
position here, even without the light-squared bishop. Later White can play f3
to open the kingside in his favour while Black struggles to connect his rooks.}
) 9... a5 {Now it was Rapport's turn to start thinking!} (9... b6 {is rather
slow and in addition to normal development,} 10. b4 $5 cxb4 11. c4 $1 $44 {
is quite an appealing gambit approach.}) (9... g5 {once again loses some of
its sting after} 10. dxc5 Nxc5 ({or otherwise} 10... g4 11. Nd4 Ndxe5 12. Bb5
Bd7 13. f4 $1 {and I think Qe2 is more useful than ...h5 in such a position.})
11. Bc2 Nd7 12. Nd4 Ndxe5 13. N2b3 Nc4 14. f4 $1 gxf4 15. Bxf4 $36 {and while
the computer thinks Black is fine, I would say White is better as he has much
better piece coordination and Black has king safety issues.}) 10. dxc5 {
Adams doesn't wait around for ...cxd4 and ...g5 and changes the position on
his terms, which makes sense.} ({Even after} 10. a4 $5 cxd4 11. cxd4 Qb6 12.
Bb5 Nxd4 13. Nxd4 Qxd4 14. Nf3 Qe4 15. Be3 O-O 16. Bd3 Qb4 17. Rac1 $1 $44 {
I really like White's compensation - he has a serious lead in development and
with ...h5 played, Black's king will never feel comfortable.}) (10. Nb1 {
looks strange, but is a prophylaxis against the ...cxd4/...g5 plan as now the
c3-square would be available for the knight, and after the immediate} g5 {
, White can now harmonise his forces with} (10... c4 11. Bc2 b5 {is arguably a
concession as Black's queenside play is not as good as it looks.}) 11. Be3 g4
12. Ne1 Qb6 13. Qd2 $14 {, and with a3 for the knight, White's position makes
far more sense to me - where exactly is Black going to place his pieces?})
10... Qc7 ({Following} 10... Nxc5 11. Bc2 b6 12. Re1 Ba6 13. Qe3 O-O 14. Nd4
$14 {when we have a normal Tarrasch position, but for ...h5 which stops the
thematic ...f6 ever being a viable idea.}) 11. Bb5 {Somehow defending the pawn
with the bishop feels less natural than using a fresh piece to defend e5, and
indeed} (11. Re1 $1 Nxc5 12. Bc2 {deserved attention as} b6 13. Qe3 O-O 14. Nb3
$14 {is quite similar to the previous note.}) 11... a4 {This is a standard
continuation to fix White's queenside pawns...or does it?} (11... O-O 12. Re1
Nxc5 13. Nd4 {again leaves the h5-pawn on a bit of a limb, and while the
computer thinks it's fine after} Bd7 {, I don't wholly trust it.}) 12. b4 {
Adams plays to open the position, which seems a good choice as calmer
alternatives lead nowhere:} (12. Re1 Nxc5 13. Nb1 Bd7 14. c4 O-O {is OK for
Black, as is}) (12. Nb1 O-O (12... Nxc5 {should be avoided as it allows the
favourable exchange} 13. Bg5 $1 $14) 13. Re1 Nxc5 14. Bg5 Nxe5 $1 {(things
would be a bit grim without this trick)} 15. Bxe7 Nxf3+ 16. Qxf3 Qxe7 17. Qxh5
Bd7 18. Na3 Bxb5 19. Nxb5 Ne4 $11) 12... axb3 13. Nxb3 Nxc5 {Black should play
this first as} (13... O-O 14. Re1 (14. c4 $143 dxc4 15. Bxc4 Ndxe5 16. Nxe5
Qxe5) 14... Nxc5 15. Nxc5 Bxc5 16. Bd3 b6 17. a4 {gives White good attacking
chances on the kingside.} (17. Nh4 $6 {is tempting, but backfires to the
sensational rook lift} Ra4 $1 18. g3 Rg4 $15)) 14. Nxc5 Bxc5 15. c4 {This
makes sense as after} (15. Be3 Ba3 {White probably doesn't have better than c4
in any case.} (15... Be7 16. c4 O-O 17. Rfd1 $14 {exerts some handy pressure
on Black's position.})) 15... O-O {Generally speaking, releasing the tension
right away only makes it easier for White to build up an attack:} (15... dxc4
$6 16. Qxc4 Be7 17. Bg5 $36) (15... d4 $2 {is an unsound sound pawn sacrifice:}
16. Rd1 O-O 17. Bxc6 bxc6 18. Nxd4 Rd8 19. Be3 $16) 16. Bf4 {This move has a
very natural feel to it, supporting the e5-pawn so Ng5/Nh4 becomes an
attacking option later. Furthermore the engine's} (16. a4 Bd7 17. cxd5 ({or} 
17. Ba3 Bxa3 18. Rxa3 Ne7 $11 {continuing trades to safeguard the king and
make White's space advantage a non-factor.}) 17... exd5 18. Bb2 Bf5 {makes it
far from easy to train the forces on Black's king when the centre is suddenly
a bit unstable.}) 16... dxc4 $6 {I think this was a bit impractical as now
White's light-squared bishop can rejoin the kingside attack, plus White can
try rook lifts along the fourth rank later in the game.} (16... Ne7 17. Rfd1 b6
{was a better choice, waiting for White to take on d5 (which I think he will
have to at some point, so the b5-bishop can reenter the game) and then Black's
knight comes to an ideal square.}) 17. Bxc4 $6 {The automatic recapture, but
not the best!} (17. Rac1 $142 {is stronger, opening up ideas of Rxc4 but also
simply waiting for Black to show his cards; if} b6 18. Ng5 $1 g6 19. Qxc4 Na7 (
{or} 19... Rd8 20. Ne4 Rd4 21. Qe2 $36) 20. Ba4 Bb7 21. Ne4 $14 {and Black's
dark squares are coming under fire (but taking on e4 would also be a
concession).}) 17... Be7 $6 {Rapport played this quickly, maybe too quickly as
now White regains control of the position.} (17... b6 $1 {fits better to
complete development; Black must have disliked} 18. Ng5 $6 {, but this is well
met by} (18. Rfd1 Bb7 $15 {would be normal, although even here I like Black's
prospects on the queenside and centre.}) 18... g6 19. Ne4 Nd4 $15) 18. Rac1 {
This isn't a case of the wrong rook as the other rook would be good on either
b1 or e1!} (18. Rfc1 g6 19. Rab1 {was also possible.}) 18... Ra3 $2 {Granted
Black's position wasn't so easy with his king always an issue, but this rook
doesn't do much here and Black would have been better off playing} (18... Rd8
19. Bb3 Bd7 20. Qe4 g6 21. Qe3 $14 {when White has definite play against
Black's kingside dark squares, but Black can hold with ...Be8 at some point as
the open centre and queenside prove a reasonable decoy.}) (18... g6 {does not
give reliable vibes and} 19. Bb3 b6 20. Qe4 Bc5 21. Bh6 Rd8 22. Bg5 Re8 23. Bf6
$16 {shows one disadvantage of playing ...g6 before it is required.}) 19. Rfe1
{Adams plays to consolidate his edge and Rapport's over-zealous play in this
tournament may have had something to do with this safe approach, but a
stronger move was} (19. Ng5 $1 g6 ({It would be agony to have to play} 19...
Bxg5 20. Bxg5 $16) 20. Ne4 Qa5 21. Nf6+ (21. Rfd1 $5 {is even better according
to the machine.}) 21... Bxf6 ({or} 21... Kh8 22. Nxh5 $1 $18) 22. exf6 $16 {
when Black must be careful not to get mated in such a situation, while his
other problems such as the passive c8-bishop are not going away.}) 19... Rd8 {
Once again allowing Ng5, though even the unnatural} (19... Ra5 $1 {(at least
discouraging Ng5)} 20. Bd2 Rc5 21. Qe4 $36 {is rough for Black.}) 20. Bb3 $1 (
20. Ng5 g6 21. Ne4 Qb8 22. Nd6 $16 {was again strong, but this time around
Adams' 'controlling' move is at least as good.}) 20... Ra5 (20... g6 {runs
into the usual problems after} 21. Nd2 ({or the route} 21. Ng5 {to e4.}) 21...
Qb8 22. Ne4) 21. Ng5 $1 g6 22. Qe3 {White could and perhaps should have played
directly with} (22. Ne4 $1 Qb6 (22... Rxe5 {is nothing but trouble after} 23.
Ba4 $1) 23. Nd6 ({or first} 23. Red1)) 22... Bb4 $6 (22... Rb5 $5 {was
supposedly a better defence, intending ...Qa5, but one is unlikely to find
this over the board.}) 23. Re2 $2 {This is a mistake as it gives Black a
reprieve to take control over the key d-file.} (23. Red1 Rxd1+ 24. Rxd1 {
was the easiest way to maintain a big advantage:} Be7 25. Qg3 $16 {and White
is close to winning as after} Nxe5 $6 26. h4 {the pin will eventually cost
Black material.}) (23. Ne4 $2 Bxe1 24. Rxe1 {however would fail to} Rxe5 $1 25.
Nf6+ Kg7 26. Nxh5+ gxh5 27. Qxe5+ Qxe5 28. Bxe5+ Nxe5 29. Rxe5 Kg6 $11) 23...
Ba3 $6 {Black fails to take his chance with} (23... Qd7 $1 {when Black's
control over the d-file gives him the time for} 24. Ne4 Qd3 $14 {, and at
least with the queens off Black is not going to get mated.}) 24. Rc3 $2 {
Unfortunately for White, he fails to sense the critical moment to transform
his advantage.} (24. Ne4 $1 Bxc1 25. Qxc1 {is now very strong as the Rxe5
tactic we saw before no longer works. Black already has to return the material
to avoid a mating attack:} Qe7 (25... Rd4 26. Nf6+ Kf8 27. Be3 Rxe5 $2 28. Bxd4
Rxe2 29. Bc5+ Ne7 30. Qh6# {would be a cool finish!}) 26. Bg5 Qa3 27. Qxa3 Rxa3
28. Bxd8 Nxd8 29. Rc2 Nc6 30. f4 $16 {and with such passive pieces, Black is
in serious trouble.}) 24... Bb4 25. Rc1 (25. Ne4 {is now ineffective because of
} Bxc3 26. Qxc3 Rd4) 25... Ba3 (25... Qd7 $1 {was again possible.}) 26. Rc3 (
26. Ne4 $1) 26... Bb4 27. Rc4 $1 {Unfortunately 27.Rc1 would have allowed
Black to claim a threefold repetition.} Rad5 $5 {This is a pretty natural
continuation over-the-board, setting up ...Rd3 and ...Rd4 ideas.} (27... b6 {
is probably fine but it's normal that Black wanted to avoid tricky variations
such as the following:} 28. Nxf7 $1 Kxf7 29. Qf3 ({or} 29. Bg5 Rdd5 30. Qf3+
Kg8 31. Qf6 Rac5 32. Rxc5 Rxc5 33. Qxg6+ Qg7 34. Qe8+ Qf8 35. Qxh5 Rxe5 36.
Rxe5 Nxe5 37. Be3 Nf7 38. Qg4+ Qg7 39. Qxg7+ Kxg7 40. Bxb6 $11) 29... Rad5 30.
Bd2+ Ke8 31. Rxc6 Qxc6 32. Bxd5 Rxd5 33. Bxb4 Rd1+ 34. Re1 Qxf3 35. gxf3 Rxe1+
36. Bxe1 Bb7 {with a draw.}) 28. h4 $1 {This is the best way to create an
airhole for his king as it also supports the knight.} b5 $6 {This is a bit too
loosening as the pin becomes a genuine issue now.} (28... Rd3 $142 {was
probably best, with the intention} 29. Qc1 Qa5 $1 30. Ree4 Ba3 31. Qf1 $14 {
with only a small edge for White.}) (28... Qa5 29. Nf3 Rc5 {is another logical
defence, however}) (28... Bd2 $2 29. Rxd2 $1 Rxd2 30. Ne4 $18 {devastates
Black on the dark squares.}) 29. Rc1 Rd3 $2 (29... Rd2 {is a better defence,
but still} 30. Nf3 (30. Ne4 $143 R2d3 31. Nf6+ Kh8 32. Qe4 Rc3 33. Rec2 Rd4 34.
Rxc3 Rxe4 35. Nxe4 Bxc3 36. Rxc3 Bb7 37. Nd6 Qd7 $11) 30... Rxe2 31. Qxe2 Ba3
32. Rc2 Qb7 33. Bg5 Rd7 34. Bf6 $1 $14 {preserves White's initiative.} (34.
Bxe6 $6 {doesn't work so well after} fxe6 35. Qe4 Rd1+ 36. Kh2 Nxe5 37. Rxc8+
Qxc8 38. Nxe5 Qe8 $11)) 30. Qe4 {White may already be winning at this point.}
R3d4 (30... Rc3 31. Rxc3 Bxc3 32. Nxe6 $1 {is a very severe shot:} fxe6 $8 (
32... Bxe6 $2 33. Bxe6 fxe6 {is losing after} (33... Rd1+ 34. Kh2 Kh7 35. Qc2
$18) 34. Qxg6+ Qg7 35. Qxe6+ Qf7 36. Qxc6 Rd1+ 37. Kh2 Qxf4+ 38. g3 Qg4 39. Re3
Bb4 40. e6 $18 {and the passed e-pawn is too strong, and Black's king too
exposed.}) 33. Qxg6+ Qg7 34. Qxh5 (34. Bxe6+ $2 Kh8 $1 35. Qxh5+ Qh7 36. Qxh7+
Kxh7 37. Bxc8 Rxc8 38. e6 Bf6 {is holdable for Black.}) 34... Qf7 35. Qg4+ Kf8
36. Re3 Bd4 37. Rf3 Ke8 38. Bc2 $1 $18 {and this is a winning attack for White.
}) 31. Qf3 Bb7 ({Clearly} 31... Rc4 {is desperate:} 32. Bxc4 Nd4 33. Qe3 bxc4
34. Rb2) 32. Qg3 $2 {White is still much better after this, but he could have
clinched the win with} (32. Rec2 $1 Rd3 (32... Na5 {loses to} 33. Rxc7 Bxf3 34.
Nxf7) 33. Rxc6 Bxc6 34. Qxc6 Qxc6 35. Rxc6 $18 {and White has a decisive
material advantage.}) 32... Ba3 $2 {Not the most tenacious defence, but even} (
32... Kg7 33. Ne4 ({Black's main hope would be to survive to some endgame like
after} 33. Bxe6 $2 Rd1+ 34. Kh2 Rxc1 35. Bxc1 Nd4 36. Qf4 fxe6 37. Bd2 Bc5 38.
Qf6+ Kg8 39. Ba5 Rf8 40. Bxc7 Rxf6 41. exf6 Nxe2 42. f7+ Kf8 43. Nxe6+ Kxf7 44.
Nxc5 Bd5 $14) 33... Be7 34. Nf6 $16 {is quite bad for Black.} ({Also promising
is} 34. Nd6 R4xd6 35. exd6 Bxd6 36. Bxd6 Qxd6 37. Qxd6 Rxd6 38. Rd1 $16 {
which feels like a technical win for White.})) 33. Rc3 Bf8 ({or} 33... Bb4 34.
Nxe6 fxe6 35. Qxg6+ Qg7 36. Qxe6+ Kh8 37. Rg3 Qf8 38. Bh6 {and Black will lose
the queen and/or get mated.}) 34. Nxe6 fxe6 35. Qxg6+ Qg7 ({Equally hopeless is
} 35... Kh8 36. Bg5 Qh7 37. Qxe6 Be7 38. Bc2 Qg7 39. Bf6 Bxf6 40. exf6) 36.
Bxe6+ $2 {Giving unnecessary hope in mutual time pressure, where} (36. Qxe6+
Kh8 37. Rg3 $18 {intending a later check on g8 would force resignation.}) 36...
Kh8 37. Qxh5+ Qh7 38. Qxh7+ Kxh7 {Even this endgame is clearly better for
White with four healthy pawns for the piece, but his work is obviously much
tougher here than before.} 39. Bf5+ ({It was also possible to opt for} 39. Bg5
Re8 40. Bf5+ Kh8 41. Kh2 $16 {, consolidating the position before starting the
advance of the pawns.}) 39... Kh8 (39... Kg7 $143 40. Bg5 Re8 41. Bf6+ $16) 40.
Be4 $5 {A tricky move in the opponent's time pressure.} (40. Bg5 Be7 41. Kh2 {
was the alternative, playing to keep the position as it is for now.}) 40... b4
$2 {This only helps White improve his rook placement.} ({Black's chances of
survival are much higher if he plays actively with} 40... Rd1+ $1 41. Kh2 Nd4
42. Ree3 Ne6 43. Bxb7 Nxf4 44. Rc7 $14 {, although even here the
opposite-coloured bishops give White decent chances to attack the opponent's
king in the endgame, plus the connected passed pawns help to constrict Black's
bishop.} ({Less promising is the impatient} 44. e6 Bd6 45. g3 Nd5 46. Bxd5 Rxd5
$11)) 41. Rc1 Rd1+ $2 {Now it is too late for this in view of Adams' response.}
(41... Ne7 42. Bxb7 Rxf4 43. g3 Rfd4 44. Kg2 $16 {still leaves White the
favourite to win as Black is a bit passive, but it was the best chance.}) 42.
Re1 (42. Rxd1 $2 Rxd1+ 43. Kh2 Nd4 $11) 42... Rxc1 43. Rxc1 $1 {This is
probably best, but} (43. Bxc1 $5 {also deserved attention:} Re8 44. Bb2 $16 {
when Black has great trouble stopping the advance of the passed pawns,
supported by the bishops.}) 43... Nd4 44. Bxb7 Ne2+ 45. Kh2 Nxf4 46. g3 ({
White should avoid the reckless} 46. Rc4 $2 Ne2 47. Rc2 Nc3) 46... Ng6 $6 {
Now the knight gets stuck and we can be quite sure that White is winning.} (
46... Ne2 47. Rc2 Nc3 {was the last try, but even in this case} 48. f4 Kg7 49.
Kh3 Bc5 50. Kg4 $16 {should be winning for White, as the connected passers are
ready to continue advancing, while shielding the king from checks.}) 47. f4
Rd2+ (47... Bh6 {with the idea of sacrificing on f4 fails to} 48. Rc4 Rd2+ 49.
Kh3 Rxa2 50. Rxb4 $18 {and the four pawns will beat the piece.}) 48. Kh3 Rxa2
49. Rc8 $1 ({Once again avoiding} 49. Be4 $2 Nxf4+ 50. gxf4 Rf2 {and it's not
clear that White can win this due to the reduced pawns.}) 49... Rf2 (49... Ra3
50. Kg4 $18) 50. h5 Nxf4+ (50... Nxe5 51. Rxf8+ Kg7 52. Rd8 $18) 51. gxf4 Rxf4
52. Kg3 $18 Rf5 {This should be a very easy win, and while Adams missed some
faster ways to finish the game, as far as I can tell he never lost his
decisive advantage.} 53. Kg4 (53. h6 $1 Rxe5 54. Rxf8+ Kh7 55. Rf6 Re8 56. Kf4
{is game over. The 'wrong rook's pawn' rule doesn't apply with rooks on the
board.}) 53... Rxe5 {Otherwise, if the rook moves along the f-file, the white
bishop will cut it off.} 54. Rxf8+ Kg7 55. Rf3 (55. Rd8 $1) 55... Rc5 56. Ba6 (
56. Be4 {is more precise, though it doesn't really matter by this point.})
56... Rc6 57. Bb5 (57. Bd3 {is the better diagonal once again, as from here
the bishop can support an attack against the king or protect the pawn from g6
if necessary. The following tactics are quite nice:} Rb6 (57... b3 58. Bb5 $18)
58. Kg5 b3 59. Bc4 b2 60. h6+ $1 Rxh6 61. Rf7+ Kg8 62. Kxh6 b1=Q 63. Rf1+ Kh8
64. Rf8#) 57... Rc5 ({If} 57... Rd6 58. Rf4) 58. Ba6 Rc6 59. Bb5 Rc5 60. Be8 $6
{This makes things more complicated, though White is still winning.} (60. Bd7)
(60. Bd3) 60... Rc4+ 61. Kg5 (61. Kf5 {transposes to the game, with two less
moves played in this case.}) ({Obviously we can't go for} 61. Rf4 $4 Rxf4+ 62.
Kxf4 Kh8 $11) 61... Rc5+ 62. Kg4 Rc4+ 63. Kf5 Kh6 (63... Rc5+ 64. Ke4 Rc4+ 65.
Kd5 Rc7 {was the most tenacious defence, when White has to manoeuvre a bit
more than in the game to convert his advantage, though his winning plan will
be the same - get his king to the queenside to reach the c-file and block the
b4-pawn, then reorganise the rook and bishop to support the h-pawn.}) 64. Re3 (
64. Rd3 $1 Rc5+ 65. Kf6) 64... Rc5+ 65. Kf6 Rc8 66. Ke7 ({or} 66. Re6 b3 67.
Rb6 $1 {using the Kf7 discovered check very well!}) 66... Rb8 67. Rb3 {With
the pawn blockaded, the win is just a matter of time, although} (67. Re6+ Kg7
68. Rg6+ Kh7 69. Bc6 b3 70. Be4 Rb4 71. Re6+ Kg7 72. h6+ Kh8 73. Kd8 Rb8+ 74.
Kc7 Rf8 75. Rb6 {was technically faster.}) 67... Kg5 ({If} 67... Kg7 68. Bg6 {
and everything is covered.}) 68. Bg6 {Again playing it safe, though} (68. Rg3+
Kh6 69. Rg6+ Kh7 70. Bc6 {was a bit more efficient.}) 68... Kh6 ({I quickly
checked to make sure} 68... Rb6 69. Kd7 Kh6 70. Kc7 Rb5 {isn't some sort of
wacky fortress, but it isn't after} 71. Be8 ({or even} 71. Kc6 Rb8 72. Kc5 Rb7
73. Kd4 Rb8 74. Ke5) 71... Rc5+ 72. Kd6 Rc4 73. Bf7 $18) 69. Kd6 Rb6+ 70. Kc7
Rb5 71. Kc6 Rb8 72. Bf7 ({or} 72. Kd7) 72... Rf8 73. Bg6 Rb8 ({Nothing is
changed by} 73... Rc8+ 74. Kd6 Rd8+ 75. Ke5 Rb8 76. Kf4 Rf8+ 77. Bf5 Rb8 78.
Rd3) 74. Kc5 Rb7 75. Kd4 Rb8 76. Kd3 {White brings his king to block the pawn
as} (76. Ke5 Kg5 {holds White back for the time being.}) 76... Rd8+ 77. Kc2 Rb8
78. Kb2 Rb7 79. Re3 Kg7 80. Kb3 (80. Re6 $1 {is even better so White can play
Be4 and h6 and keep Black's king cut off, but it doesn't matter objectively.})
80... Kh6 81. Re5 Rb8 82. Be8 Rb7 83. Re6+ Kg7 84. Bg6 Rb8 85. Be4 Kh8 86. Re7
Rb5 87. Bg6 Rb6 88. Bd3 Rb8 89. Rd7 Rb6 90. Rd5 Kg7 91. Bb5 Kh6 92. Kxb4 Rb8
93. Kc3 Rb6 94. Kd4 Re6 95. Bd3 Re1 96. Ra5 Re7 97. Be4 Rg7 98. Bf3 Re7 99.
Ra6+ Kg7 100. Be4 Kh8 101. Ra5 Kg7 102. Ke3 Rf7 103. Bg6 Rf6 104. Ke4 Rf8 105.
Ra6 Rf6 106. Ra7+ Kh8 107. Bf5 Rf8 108. Kf4 Rb8 109. Kg5 Rg8+ 110. Bg6 Rg7 111.
Ra5 Rg8 112. Ra4 Rg7 113. Kf6 Rg8 114. Ra7 Rg7 115. Bf7 Kh7 116. Ra8 Kh6 117.
Rb8 Rh7 118. Bg6 Rg7 {Black resigned as mate is coming in two moves.} 1-0

[Event "Biel GM 48th"]
[Site "Biel"]
[Date "2015.07.30"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Eljanov, Pavel"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "E05"]
[WhiteElo "2723"]
[BlackElo "2740"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "118"]
[EventDate "2015.07.20"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[EventCategory "19"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 168"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.09.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Be7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O dxc4 7. Qc2 a6 8. a4
Bd7 9. Qxc4 Bc6 10. Bg5 {This is the all time main line,} ({even though} 10.
Bf4 {has been enormously popular lately.}) 10... h6 {A relatively rare
continuation. Black spends a tempo on getting the bishop pair, but refrains
from any early counterplay.} ({The main lines are} 10... Bd5) ({and} 10... a5)
11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nc3 {[%cal Ge2e4]} Bxf3 13. Bxf3 c6 {Black's position is
quite solid and he does not experience any concrete problems. But at the same
time play is rather one sided and White can try increasing the pressure at his
leisure.} 14. e3 {A solid move, which White may have to play soon anyway.} (14.
Rfd1 a5 15. h4 Qb6 16. e3 {Georgiev,K (2655)-Karpov,A (2693) Dubai 2002 CBM
089 [Ribli] (1-0, 62)}) (14. Rad1 a5 15. e4 Nd7 16. e5 Be7 17. Be4 {Carlsen,M 
(2813)-Ponomariov,R (2733) Medias 2010 CBM 137 [Rogozenco,D] (1/2-1/2, 31)}) (
14. Qb3 Ra7 15. Ne4 Bxd4 16. Rfd1 {Nielsen,P (2700)-Giri,A (2672) Amsterdam
2010 CBM 138 [Giri,A] (1-0, 57)}) 14... a5 15. h4 ({Practice has shown that
the radical} 15. b4 {offers White just some temporary initiative, as, for
instance, in the following game:} axb4 16. Qxb4 Ra7 17. a5 Be7 18. Qb3 Nd7 19.
Ra2 Nf6 20. Rfa1 Nd5 {Papaioannou,I (2597)-Ganguly,S (2627) Kavala 2012 (1/2-1/
2, 42)}) 15... Na6 16. Rfd1 Qb6 17. Qe2 Rad8 $146 {Technically speaking this
is a novelty.} ({In the game quoted below, Black started with} 17... Rfd8 {
, but after the inevitable rook doubling on the d-file this loses significance.
}) 18. Ne4 Be7 19. Nd2 Nb4 {In fact, this is the real novelty.} (19... Bf6 20.
Nc4 Qc7 21. Be4 Rd7 22. Rac1 Rfd8 23. Qh5 {would transpose back to the earlier
game.} c5 $6 {Due to Black's insufficient control over the d5-square this is
premature.} ({It was not too late for} 23... b6 {[%cal Ga6b4] followed by ...
Nb4.}) 24. d5 exd5 25. Rxd5 Rxd5 26. Bxd5 Nb4 27. Be4 Nd3 28. Bxd3 Rxd3 29. Rd1
$14 {Markus,R (2608)-Cornette,M (2577) Novi Sad 2009 (1-0, 52)}) 20. Nc4 Qa6
21. b3 Bf6 22. Rac1 Rd7 23. Be4 Rfd8 24. Qh5 {Black's development has reached
a maximum, but he cannot undertake any concrete action. Adams rightly decides
to move around with his knight, harassing White a bit and keeping his overall
cordination.} Na2 25. Rc2 Nb4 26. Rcd2 Nd5 27. Rc1 $1 {[%csl Gc3]} (27. Bb1 Nc3
$132) (27. Bc2 Nc3 28. Rc1 b5 $132) 27... Qa7 {[%cal Ga7b8] Black needs to
remain passive.} (27... b5 28. Ne5 $14) 28. Bb1 ({In view of the line
recommended below, White should have still improved his position with, say,} 
28. Kg2 {leaving his bishop on e4 still. The counterplay examined in the next
line does not work out well here:} c5 29. Ne5 Bxe5 30. Qxe5 Qb6 31. dxc5 Qxb3
32. Rd4 {[%cal Gc1d1]} Qa2 33. Rc2 Qa3 34. g4 $40) 28... Ne7 ({But now the
thematic break} 28... c5 {looks possible:} 29. Ne5 Bxe5 30. Qxe5 Qb6 $132 {
[%csl Gb3] If not sustaining a kingside attack, the white bishop could well be
passive and vulnerable.} 31. dxc5 Qxb3 32. Rd4 Qa3 33. Rcd1 Qb3 {White would
like to increase the pressure against d5 with Be4 but this is not easy to
achieve:} 34. Kg2 (34. Be4 $2 Nxe3 $1 {wins based on} 35. Rxd7 Qxd1+ 36. Rxd1
Rxd1+ 37. Kh2 Ng4+) (34. g4 $2 {is met in the same way:} Nxe3 $1 35. fxe3 Qxd1+
36. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 37. Kf2 R8d2+ 38. Kf3 Rf1+ 39. Kg3 Rxb1 $19) 34... Qb2 {and
once again} 35. Be4 $2 {allows} Nxe3+) 29. Rdd1 ({Eljanov must have wished to
achieve a bit more than after} 29. Qxa5 Qxa5 30. Nxa5 e5 31. Nc4 exd4 32. e4
$14) 29... Rd5 30. Qf3 R5d7 31. Nd2 {[%cal Gd2e4]} Kf8 $2 {We are still far
from the endgame so this king's "centralising" is likely to cause only
problems if carried out without a serious reason. Adams wanted to anticipate
the threat Qe4 and clear the g8-square for his knight, but there was no need
for that.} (31... Nd5 $5 32. Qe4 (32. Ne4 Be7 {maintains the status quo.})
32... Kf8 $1 {Now that White has committed himself by occupying the e4-square
with the queen, this is good and necessary.} (32... g6 $2 33. h5 $18) 33. Kg2
Qb8 34. Qh7 $6 g6 $1 {[%csl Gh7]} 35. Qxh6+ (35. Be4 Bg7 {[%cal Gd5f6]} 36.
Bxd5 Rxd5 $11) 35... Ke7 {[%cal Gd8h8]} 36. Bxg6 fxg6 37. Ne4 Rh8 38. Qxg6 Rg8
$11) 32. Ne4 Ng8 {This surely looks passive,} ({but the more natural} 32... Nd5
{causes Black problems of stability.} 33. Nc5 Rd6 34. Kg2 $3 {By removing the
king from the back rank, White creates some additional tactical ideas. Besides,
Black is in a sort of zugzwang with all his pieces on the board.} (34. e4 Nc7
35. e5 Bxe5 36. Nxb7 Qxb7 37. dxe5 Rxd1+ {With check!} 38. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 39. Qxd1
Nd5 $11) 34... Be7 (34... Kg8 35. e4 Nc7 36. e5 Bxe5 37. dxe5 Rxd1 38. Rxd1
Rxd1 39. Qxd1 Qxc5 40. Qd8+ {and Black does not have ...Ne8.}) (34... Qb6 $2
35. e4 Nc7 36. e5 Bxe5 37. dxe5 Rxd1 38. Rxd1 Rxd1 39. Bg6 $18) (34... Ke8 $5 {
, controlling the d7- and d8-squares and getting the king out of the potential
pin along the f-file, is interesting but hardly satisfactory.} 35. h5 $16) 35.
e4 Nf6 (35... Nc7 36. e5 Rxd4 37. Bg6 f6 38. exf6 Bxf6 39. Rxd4 Rxd4 40. g4 $18
) 36. Qe3 (36. e5 Rxd4) 36... Qb8 37. Ba2 $3 {[%csl Yd6][%cal Gb3b4,Ge4e5]
Even if I needed some time to understand the idea behind this move, I am not
sure if it would be right to call it a computer move. It is just a pity we
could not offer this position as a test to some of the greates champions of
the past, but my guess is that at least some of them would find it.} (37. e5
Rd5 $1) 37... b6 (37... Qc8 38. e5 Rd5 39. b4 $18 Bxc5 40. bxc5) 38. e5 Nd5 39.
Qf3 bxc5 40. exd6 Bxd6 41. dxc5 Be5 42. Bb1 $18) 33. Nc5 Rd6 34. Bd3 Be7 35.
Bc4 Nf6 36. g4 $36 {After some more regrouping moves, White has finally
started his kingside attack. Obviously, the king does not stand well on f8.} b6
37. Nd3 (37. Nxe6+ fxe6 38. g5 Kg8 39. gxf6 Bxf6 40. h5 $14) 37... Nd7 38. Nf4
Kg8 39. Qg3 Qb8 $6 (39... Nf6 {would have been more active:} 40. Bd3 (40. g5
hxg5 41. hxg5 Ne4) 40... Nd5 $14) 40. g5 hxg5 41. hxg5 b5 {Just a hint of
black counterplay.} 42. Bd3 e5 43. Ne2 g6 44. Kg2 exd4 45. e4 $6 {There was no
need to sacrifice a pawn.} (45. Qh4 Bf8 46. Nxd4 $16) 45... Kf8 $2 {The second
centralisation of the king should have had fatal consequences.} (45... Bf8 $5
$13) 46. Rh1 (46. axb5 cxb5 {[%csl Gd5]} 47. Qh4 Ke8 48. Qh8+ Nf8 49. Nf4 $18)
(46. Qh4 $18) 46... Ke8 47. Rh8+ Bf8 48. axb5 {This absolves Black from the
worries regarding his c6-pawn, but opens the c-file. As we will see by
comparing the two similar lines below, the exchange does not alter the overall
evaluation in any way.} (48. Qf4 $1 $18 {[%csl Rf7][%cal Gh8h7]} Re6 49. Qxb8
Nxb8 {[%csl Gd4]} (49... Rxb8 50. Nxd4 Rd6 51. Nxc6 Rb6 52. Bxb5 $18) 50. axb5
cxb5 51. Bxb5+ Ke7 52. Rc7+ Kd6 (52... Nd7 53. Nxd4) 53. Rxf7 $18) 48... cxb5
49. e5 (49. Qf4 {is still very strong, even though play changes a bit with
respect to the similar line above.} Re6 50. Rc7 $1 {Taking advantage of the
previous opening of the c-file.} (50. Qxb8 Rxb8 $16 51. Nxd4 $2 Rd6 52. Nc6 Rb6
{and White does not have Bxb5 anymore.}) 50... Qb6 51. Qc1 $1 $18) 49... Rd5
50. Qf4 $2 {Losing a second pawn without compensation.} (50. Re1 $3 Rc8 (50...
Rxe5 51. f4 {[%cal Ge2d4,Rg3e1]}) (50... Nxe5 51. Nxd4 $18) (50... Qxe5 51. Nf4
Qxe1 52. Nxd5 $18) 51. Kf1 $3 (51. e6 Qxg3+ 52. Nxg3 Ne5 53. Be4 {is also
strong, but the king retreat prepares the intermediate move exd7+.}) 51... Qc7
52. e6 Qxg3 (52... fxe6 53. Nf4 $18) 53. exd7+ Kxd7 54. Nxg3 $18) 50... Qxe5
$15 51. Re1 $2 {Beter late than never does not apply here.} (51. Qxe5+ Nxe5 52.
Be4 R5d6 53. f4 Nd7 54. Bd3 Ke7 55. Bxb5 $2 d3 $17) 51... Qxh8 $19 52. Nxd4+
Re5 53. Rh1 Qg7 54. Bxb5 Be7 55. Ba4 Rxg5+ 56. Kf1 Qe5 57. Qxe5 Rxe5 58. Rh8+
Bf8 59. Nc6 Rh5 0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.15"]
[Round "2.2"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B46"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[Annotator "Szabo,Kr"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 d5 8.
O-O Nf6 9. Qf3 (9. Qe2) ({and} 9. Re1 {are the other main lines.}) 9... Be7 10.
Qg3 O-O 11. Bh6 Ne8 12. Bf4 Bh4 13. Qf3 Be7 (13... Bg5 {is the alternative
continuation,} 14. e5 (14. Rad1 Bxf4 15. Qxf4 Nf6 16. Na4 Re8 17. e5 Nd7 18.
Rfe1 h6 19. c4 {Predke-Grachev, Sochi 2015, with a typical middlegame.}) 14...
Bxf4 15. Qxf4 c5 16. Rad1 Bb7 17. b3 Qa5 18. Qg3 g6 19. Ne2 Ng7 20. Qf4 Rac8
21. c3 Qc7 $11 {Nepomniachtchi-Andreikin, Moscow blitz 2015, with a balanced
position.}) 14. Na4 $146 {A novelty by Adams. This is a typical manoeuvre in
this line, because White prepares for c4.} ({Last year} 14. Rad1 {was also
tried} Nf6 15. h3 Nd7 16. Qg3 Bh4 17. Qh2 Ra7 18. Na4 Re8 19. Be3 Ra8 20. c4
Bb7 21. Bc2 Bf6 22. Kh1 Be5 23. f4 Bd6 24. Qg3 Qc7 25. Nc3 $14 {
Nepomniachtchi-Grachev, Kazan 2014, and White was slightly better.}) 14... Nf6
15. b3 Qa5 $6 {An inaccuracy, I think the Q is out of play on a5.} ({However} 
15... a5 16. e5 Nd7 17. Qg3 $14) ({or} 15... Bb7 16. Rad1 $14 {is also more
comfortable for White.}) 16. e5 Nd7 17. Qg3 Re8 18. h4 $1 {A great move, White
starts to play on the kingside. He would like to play h5 with which he gains
some space and he creates some unpleasant threats for Black.} c5 19. c4 d4 (
19... Bb7 20. h5 $36) 20. h5 Qc7 21. Rae1 Bf8 $6 {Logical, but here this is a
dubious move.} (21... Kh8 {was more careful, for example} 22. h6 g6 23. Bg5 Bb7
{and still it is not easy to continue the attacking plan for White.}) 22. Bg5
$1 {Adams prepares for the attacking plan by f4!} g6 $6 {Another inaccuracy,
which creates more weaknesses on Black's kingside.} (22... Bb7 23. f4 $40 {
with a strong attack.}) 23. f4 $1 {White continues his attack.} Bg7 24. Qh4 Bb7
(24... Nf8 25. Rf3 Bb7 26. Rh3 $18 {with a decisive attack.}) 25. Kf2 $1 $18 {
After this nice K move Black has absolutely no hope left. White is threatening
with Rh1 which is undefendable.} Rf8 26. Rh1 f5 27. hxg6 hxg6 28. Qh7+ Kf7 29.
Rh6 {A nice victory by Adams!} 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.16"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B84"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[PlyCount "117"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Be2 Be7 8.
Qd2 O-O 9. O-O-O a6 10. f4 Nd7 11. h4 Nxd4 12. Qxd4 b5 13. h5 h6 14. g4 Rb8 15.
g5 b4 16. Na4 e5 17. Qd2 Qa5 18. b3 exf4 19. Bxf4 Bxg5 20. Qxd6 Bxf4+ 21. Qxf4
Qe5 22. Qxe5 Nxe5 23. Rd6 Re8 24. Rg1 Kh7 25. Nc5 a5 26. Rd5 f6 27. Kb2 Nf7 28.
Nd7 Rb7 29. Bg4 Kh8 30. Rgd1 Rxe4 31. Nxf6 gxf6 32. Bxc8 Rc7 33. Bf5 Rf4 34.
Rxa5 Ne5 35. Ra8+ Kg7 36. Rg1+ Kf7 37. Rh8 Rc6 38. Rh7+ Kf8 39. Rd1 Ke8 40.
Rh8+ Ke7 41. Rh7+ Ke8 42. Bg6+ Nxg6 43. hxg6 Rf2 44. Rc1 Rg2 45. Rxh6 Kf8 46.
Rh4 Rb6 47. Rf1 Rc6 48. Rc1 Rb6 49. Rc4 Kg7 50. Rf1 Kxg6 51. Rff4 f5 52. Rxb4
Rxb4 53. Rxb4 Kg5 54. Rb8 Re2 55. a4 f4 56. a5 Re5 57. a6 Ra5 58. Ra8 f3 59. a7
1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.16"]
[Round "2.5"]
[White "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A30"]
[WhiteElo "2676"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O Be7 6. Nc3 c5 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4
d6 9. Rd1 a6 10. Bg5 Nbd7 11. Qd2 O-O 12. Bf4 Ne8 13. b3 Qc7 14. Rac1 Rd8 15.
e4 Ne5 16. Qe2 Nf6 17. h3 h6 18. Nd4 Qb8 19. Be3 Rfe8 20. f4 Ned7 21. Bf2 Bf8
22. Re1 Qa8 23. Nf3 Nc5 24. Bxc5 bxc5 25. g4 g6 26. Rcd1 Qb8 27. e5 Nd7 28. Ne4
Bxe4 29. Qxe4 dxe5 30. fxe5 Bg7 31. Rd3 Nxe5 32. Nxe5 Bxe5 33. Rxd8 Bh2+ 34.
Kh1 Rxd8 35. Qc6 Bg3 36. Rf1 Qd6 37. Qf3 Qc7 38. b4 cxb4 39. c5 Rd2 40. c6 a5
41. a3 Be5 42. axb4 axb4 43. Qe3 Rxg2 44. Kxg2 Qxc6+ 45. Qf3 Qc7 46. h4 Kg7 47.
h5 g5 48. Kh3 Bf4 49. Rd1 Qc2 50. Rh1 b3 51. Qb7 b2 52. Qb4 Qd3+ 53. Kg2 Qe2+
0-1

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.16"]
[Round "2.9"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Laznicka, Viktor"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2676"]
[PlyCount "53"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. Bd2 e6 7. Bc4 Bb4 8.
Ne5 Nbd7 9. Nxd7 Nxd7 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Qb6 12. O-O O-O 13. d5 Rfd8 14. Qf3
Nf8 15. Rfe1 Bxc2 16. dxe6 fxe6 17. Qg3 Bg6 18. h4 Qc5 19. Ba2 Qe7 20. Re5 Rd3
21. f3 h5 22. Rae1 Qf7 23. Rxe6 Rxc3 24. bxc3 Kh8 25. R6e2 Qf6 26. Re5 c6 27.
Qg5 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.19"]
[Round "3.7"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2732"]
[PlyCount "173"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nf5 8.
Nf3 O-O 9. d4 d5 10. c3 Bd6 11. Bd3 h6 12. Nbd2 Qf6 13. Nf1 Be6 14. Bd2 Rfe8
15. Qc2 a6 16. Re2 Nfe7 17. Ne3 Ng6 18. Bxg6 fxg6 19. Rae1 Qf7 20. Bc1 g5 21.
Nd2 Re7 22. h3 Rae8 23. Ndf1 Bd7 24. Qd1 Be6 25. b3 Rf8 26. f3 Ree8 27. Nc2 Bd7
28. Ba3 Bxa3 29. Nxa3 Ne7 30. Nc2 Bb5 31. Re3 Bxf1 32. Kxf1 Ng6 33. Qd2 Nf4 34.
Kg1 c6 35. Kh2 Ng6 36. g3 Rxe3 37. Rxe3 h5 38. Ne1 h4 39. Nd3 hxg3+ 40. Kxg3
Nh4 41. Qe2 Nf5+ 42. Kf2 Nxe3 43. Qxe3 Qf5 44. Kg2 Kh7 45. Qe2 Rf6 46. b4 Rh6
47. Nf2 Re6 48. Qd2 Kg8 49. Ng4 Qf4 50. Qd1 Qf5 51. a4 Qf4 52. a5 Re7 53. Kf2
Qf5 54. Kg2 Qe6 55. Kf2 Qd6 56. Kg2 Re6 57. Kf2 Qe7 58. Qd2 Qd8 59. Qd1 Qd6 60.
Qd2 Qf4 61. Qd1 Kf8 62. Kg2 Ke7 63. Kf2 Kd6 64. Kg2 Kc7 65. Kf2 Kb8 66. Kg2 Ka7
67. Kf2 b6 68. axb6+ Kxb6 69. Kg2 Kb7 70. Kf2 Qf5 71. Kg2 Re8 72. Kf2 Qe6 73.
Qd2 Kb6 74. Qd1 Qd6 75. Kg2 a5 76. bxa5+ Kxa5 77. Qa1+ Kb6 78. Qb2+ Kc7 79. Qa2
Rb8 80. Ne5 c5 81. Qd2 cxd4 82. cxd4 Rb4 83. Qxg5 Rb2+ 84. Kg3 Qb4 85. Qxg7+
Kb6 86. Qf6+ Kb5 87. Nd3 1-0

[Event "FIDE World Cup"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2015.09.19"]
[Round "3.8"]
[White "Dominguez Perez, Leinier"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C88"]
[WhiteElo "2732"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[PlyCount "88"]
[EventDate "2015.09.11"]
[EventType "k.o."]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. a4
b4 9. d4 d6 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Nbd2 Bc5 12. Qe2 Qe7 13. h3 Na5 14. Nc4 Nxc4 15.
Bxc4 a5 16. b3 Bb7 17. Bd3 Rfd8 18. Bb2 Bd6 19. Rad1 Nd7 20. Nd2 Nc5 21. Bc4
Ne6 22. Qg4 Bc8 23. Nf3 Nd4 24. Qg3 Be6 25. Nxd4 exd4 26. e5 Bc5 27. Bd3 Qd7
28. Qf4 Rab8 29. Bc1 Bf8 30. Qh4 Bf5 31. Bc4 Be7 32. Qf4 Be6 33. Bd3 c5 34. Be4
Bd5 35. Bf5 Be6 36. g4 Rbc8 37. Re4 g6 38. Bxe6 Qxe6 39. Rd3 c4 40. bxc4 Rxc4
41. Bb2 Rxc2 42. Bxd4 Rc4 43. Rf3 b3 44. Bb2 Rc2 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 31st"]
[Site "Skopje"]
[Date "2015.10.20"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Rublevsky, Sergei"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C28"]
[WhiteElo "2702"]
[BlackElo "2742"]
[Annotator "Sagar Shah"]
[PlyCount "104"]
[EventDate "2015.10.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Belorechensk"]
[BlackTeam "Socar"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "RUS"]
[BlackTeamCountry "AZE"]

{This game is mainly interesting because of the exciting R+N endgame that was
reached around move 28. Michael Adams showed why he is one of the best in the
world.} 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nc3 Na5 5. Qf3 {This seems patzer
like opening play but it quite a playable opening and Rublevsky has already
tried it thrice in the month of October - once in rapid, once in blitz and the
current one in classical format.} c6 6. Nge2 Be7 7. O-O ({Trying to win a pawn
with} 7. Qg3 {is quite dangerous.} O-O 8. Qxe5 Re8 9. Qg3 d5 $36) 7... O-O 8.
h3 d5 (8... b5 9. Bb3 b4 10. Nd1 d5 {was the direct way to play. Adams goes
for the same idea in a different fashion.}) 9. exd5 b5 10. Bb3 (10. dxc6 $2
bxc4 11. c7 Qxc7 12. Qxa8 Bb7 13. Qxf8+ (13. Qxa7 Bc5 $19) 13... Bxf8 $19)
10... b4 11. d6 $1 (11. Ne4 Nxb3 12. axb3 cxd5 13. Nxf6+ Bxf6 $15 {is a very
pleasant position for Black.}) 11... Qxd6 $1 (11... Bxd6 12. Ne4 $11) 12. Nd1
$1 {The knight retreat looks passive but the idea is to place it on the
excellent square on c4 via e3.} (12. Ne4 Nxe4 13. Qxe4 (13. dxe4 Nxb3 $1 (13...
Ba6 $5) 14. axb3 f5 $1 $15 {with an excellent initiative for Black.}) 13...
Nxb3 14. axb3 f5 $15 {Black has everything he can ask for - pair of bishops
and a mobile centre.}) 12... Bb7 13. Ne3 c5 14. Qg3 Qd7 15. Ba4 $5 (15. Qxe5 {
I have to agree that taking a pawn like this when you are lagging behind in
development is not easy to play. But White can take the pawn and get away with
it.} Bd6 16. Qg5 (16. Qf5 Qc6 $13) 16... h6 17. Qh4 Kh7 {Threatening g5.} 18.
Nc4 Nxc4 19. Bxc4 Rfe8 $44 {The two bishops and the connected rooks give Black
excellent play for the pawn.}) 15... Qe6 (15... Qxa4 $2 16. Nf5 $1 $16 {
[%cal Gf5e7,Gf5g7]}) 16. b3 Nd5 17. Bb2 f6 18. Rae1 Bd6 19. Nxd5 Qxd5 (19...
Bxd5 $2 20. Nf4 $1 exf4 21. Rxe6 fxg3 22. Rxd6 $16) 20. f4 Bc6 (20... exf4 21.
Nxf4 Qf5 {was relatively better}) 21. fxe5 Bxe5 22. Nf4 Qd6 23. Bxe5 fxe5 24.
Nh5 Rxf1+ 25. Rxf1 Qg6 26. Bxc6 Nxc6 27. Qxg6 hxg6 28. Ng3 $14 {Rublevsky has
played the opening and the middlegame really well and has quite a nice
position. Let's focus on this endgame and try to understand how rich such
positions really are. The position looks completely in White's favour because
of the pawn structure. Black has doubled isolated pawns on the kingside, an
isolated guy on e5 and a weak pawn on c5. But White's position is not
fireproof. The c2-pawn is a little weak and with his next move Adams shows
that he doesn't really need to move his rook in order to activate it.} a5 $1
29. Ne4 Nd4 30. Rf2 $1 {Rublevsky rightly decides that keeping control is the
key here.} (30. Nxc5 Rc8 $1 $132 {gives Black enough counterplay.} (30... Nxc2
31. Rc1 (31. Rf2 Nd4) 31... Nd4 32. Re1 $14) 31. Ne4 Ne2+ 32. Kf2 Rxc2 33. Ke3
Nc1 {[%csl Ra2] where it will be White who would have to struggle for the half
point.}) 30... a4 $1 {The right spirit. Whether it works or not, activity is
the key.} (30... Rc8 31. Nd6 Rd8 32. Nc4 $14 {leads to a thankless position
that would have to be constantly defended. One of the rules that top players
have hammered into their heads is that it is better to be materially down and
have activity than to have equal material but be passive.}) 31. Nxc5 a3 $1 {
Fixing the a2-pawn and getting a real asset in this position. But to attack
the a2-pawn is not so easy, the black knight cannot reach c3 because the
knight on e4 will all the time keep an eye on it.} (31... axb3 32. cxb3 $1 (32.
axb3 $6 Ra7 $1 $11 {[%cal Rc5b7,Rc5d7,Rc5e6,Rc5a6] dominating the knight and
threatening Rc7.} 33. Ne4 Rc7 34. Nd6 Rxc2 35. Rxc2 Nxc2 36. Kf2 Nd4 $11) 32...
Nb5 33. Nd7 Nc3 34. Nxe5 Nxa2 35. Nc6 $16) 32. Nd7 (32. Kf1 Rc8 33. Na6 Nxc2
34. Ke2 Rc6 35. Kd2 Rxa6 36. Kxc2 $11) 32... Re8 $6 {It was necessary to keep
the active play going.} (32... Nb5 $1 33. Nxe5 (33. Nb6 Rd8 34. Rf1 Rd6 (34...
Nc3 $6 35. Na4 $1 Nxa2 36. Ra1 Nc3 37. Nxc3 bxc3 38. Rxa3 e4 39. dxe4 Rd1+ 40.
Kh2 Rd2 41. Ra2 Kf7 42. Kg3 g5 43. b4 $18) 35. Nc4 Re6 $13 {[%cal Gb5c3]})
33... Nc3 {As we mentioned previously, the white knight went away from e4 and
the other knight made its way to c3.} 34. Nxg6 Nxa2 35. Ne7+ Kh7 36. Nc6 Ra6
37. Nd4 Nc3 38. Rf1 Rd6 $15 {Only Black can be better here in spite of being
two pawns down.}) 33. Nb6 Rd8 {Stopping Nd5.} 34. Kf1 (34. Nc4 Rd5 35. g3 Nb5
36. Nd2 Nc3 37. Rf1 Nxa2 38. Ne4 $14 {The general idea of this variation is
that the knight should remain in the centre and not like in the game where it
was sidelined on a4.}) 34... Nb5 35. Na4 {N to c3 had to be stopped. But in
that bid the knight on a4 has becoming quite passive.} Rc8 (35... e4 36. dxe4
Rd1+ 37. Ke2 Ra1 38. Kd3 Rxa2 {would have been pretty nice but after} 39. Rf1
$18 {[%csl Ra2] The rook on a2 is trapped.}) 36. Ke1 Nd4 37. Kd1 (37. Nb6 $5
Rxc2 38. Rxc2 Nxc2+ {How do we assess this knight ending? Well it should be in
White's favour, but the only problem is that the a2-pawn is quite weak. If
White can take care of that he will be better.} 39. Kd1 Nd4 (39... Ne3+ 40. Kd2
Nxg2 41. Nd5 Nf4 42. Nxb4 Nxh3 43. Nc2 g5 44. Nxa3 g4 $11) 40. Nd5 Nxb3 41.
Nxb4 Nd4 42. Nc2 Nb5 43. Kd2 Kf7 44. d4 exd4 45. Kd3 Nc3 (45... Ke6 $4 46.
Nxd4+ Nxd4 47. Kxd4 $18) 46. Nb4 g5 47. Kxd4 $14 {with slight practical chance
for white}) 37... Rc6 $1 {[%csl Ra4] The knight on a4 has been dominated.} 38.
h4 $2 {What could be more natural than to restrict the doubled g-pawns? But
now Adams shows his class.} (38. Kc1 Kh7 39. g4 g5 40. Kd1 Kg6 41. Kc1 {
It is true that all of White's pieces are passively posted but they are
passive because the black pieces are well placed. If the black pieces move
then White's ones can also wriggle out. So the position should most likely end
in a draw.}) 38... g5 $1 {This is the right way to activate the king.} 39. hxg5
Kh7 {Rublevsky is lost now because while all his pieces are tied down, the
black king is free to roam and collect stuff.} 40. Kc1 Kg6 {As it is known
every attacking piece has much more value than a defending one. Though the Rf2
is very badly placed it has no target to attack. No one likes to suffocate. So
White tries a desperate attempt.} 41. c3 {Now the game ends quickly.} bxc3 42.
b4 c2 (42... Kxg5 $6 43. Rf7 c2 44. Nc5 $15) 43. Nc5 {Blocks the c-file but
the black rook shifts its attention.} Rb6 44. Rf1 Rxb4 45. Nb3 Nxb3+ 46. axb3
Rxb3 47. Kxc2 Rb2+ 48. Kc3 Rxg2 {From being two pawns down, Black has cleaned
up so many pawns that he is a pawn up.} 49. Re1 a2 50. Kb3 Kf5 51. Ka3 Rd2 52.
Kb3 g6 {A beautiful performance by Mickey Adams who showed us the most
important thing in the endgame is not material, but activity.} 0-1

[Event "EU-Cup 31st"]
[Site "Skopje"]
[Date "2015.10.22"]
[Round "5.4"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Li, Chao B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2750"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "123"]
[EventDate "2015.10.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Socar"]
[BlackTeam "Siberia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 Nc6
8. Bd3 $5 {An unusual idea in a well known position. The main move is of
course 8.Qd2, it seems that Adams is using less known positions to surprise
opponents} ({I will give one recent example of the main idea...} 8. Qd2 Be6 9.
O-O-O Qd7 10. b3 $5 Bf6 11. h3 h6 12. g4 O-O-O 13. Bg2 Kb8 14. Rde1 a6 15. Re2
d5 16. Nd4 Nxd4 17. Bxd4 Bxd4 18. Qxd4 g6 19. Rhe1 h5 20. f3 Qd6 21. Re5 hxg4
22. fxg4 c6 23. Kb1 Ka8 24. Bf1 Qb8 25. Qe3 $14 {1-0 (83) Dominguez Perez,L 
(2736)-Vazquez Igarza,R (2581) Linares 2015}) 8... Bf6 {Adams didn't manage to
find any advantage when he previously tried the same idea...} (8... Ne5 9. Nxe5
dxe5 10. Qf3 c6 11. Qg3 Bf6 12. O-O-O Be6 13. Rhe1 Qe7 14. a3 O-O 15. h4 Rfd8
16. Bg5 $14) (8... Be6 9. Qe2 Qd7 10. O-O-O O-O 11. Kb1 Rae8 12. h3 Bd8 13.
Rhe1 Bf5 14. Bxf5 Qxf5 15. g4 Qc8 16. Qc4 a6 17. Nd4 Nxd4 18. cxd4 c6 19. Bf4
d5 20. Qb4 Bh4 $11 {½-½ (34) Adams,M (2722)-Giri,A (2730) London 2012}) 9.
Qe2 Qe7 10. O-O-O Bd7 11. Rhe1 O-O-O 12. Qf1 {I think already here Black is
experiencing problems due to exposed queen on e7...} Be6 13. Bb5 Ne5 14. Bxa7
$1 {Getting this pawn is very important} Nxf3 15. gxf3 Be5 $1 {Black finds way
to create counterplay} (15... c6 16. Bd3 Be5 17. Re4 Qf6 18. Bb6 $16) 16. Re4
Qf6 17. Ra4 {It was better to defend the f3-pawn:} (17. Qe2 $1 Bxh2 18. Ra4 $36
{White preserves better chances but the position remains complicated.}) 17...
Qxf3 18. Be3 c5 $1 19. h4 Kc7 $13 {Now things are not clear at all: White's
initiative on the queenside has been repulsed, the rook on a4 is now bad, on
the other hand the centralised Black pieces are really strong.} 20. Be2 Qc6 21.
Bb5 Qf3 22. Be2 {Correctly assessing the position, Adams repeats moves but ...}
Qh3 {Black declines.} 23. Qg1 Qh2 24. Qxh2 Bxh2 {The queens are off a board
and we can say that Black is slightly better here.} 25. h5 $1 {Making space
for a rook...} Be5 26. Rh4 h6 27. Kd2 b6 (27... Bf6 28. Rh2 Ra8 29. a3 Rhe8 {
Preventing for a while a4 which is good for White to take some more space}) 28.
a4 $1 Bf6 29. Rh2 Rhe8 30. Rg1 Bd5 31. b3 Re5 32. c4 Bc6 33. Rh3 Kb7 34. Rhg3
d5 35. cxd5 Bxd5 36. Kc1 c4 $2 {An overambitious move, instead:} (36... Rde8 {
Around equal but more pleasant to play with Black}) 37. bxc4 Be6 38. c5 $1 {
Closing the fifth rank for Black's rook. Obviously Black missed following
tactical idea...} bxc5 39. f4 {Winning material.} Rxe3 (39... Rf5 40. Bg4 $16)
40. Rxe3 Bd4 41. Rd3 Bc4 42. Rxg7 $1 Bxd3 43. Rxf7+ Kb8 44. cxd3 Be3+ 45. Kc2
Rd4 46. f5 {With f and a passers White is obviously much better, close to
winning actually.} Rxa4 47. Bf3 Bg5 48. Bd5 Ra6 49. Be6 Rd6 50. Rg7 Bf4 51. Rg6
Kc7 52. f6 Rd8 53. f7 Rf8 54. Kc3 Kd6 55. Kc4 Be3 56. Bd5+ Kd7 57. Bc6+ Ke7 58.
Be8 Bd4 59. Kd5 Bf2 60. Re6+ Kd8 61. Kc6 Bd4 62. Bd7 1-0

[Event "EU-Cup 31st"]
[Site "Skopje"]
[Date "2015.10.24"]
[Round "7.4"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Matlakov, Maxim"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C93"]
[WhiteElo "2742"]
[BlackElo "2689"]
[Annotator "Pavlovic,M"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2015.10.18"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "7"]
[EventCountry "MKD"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 169"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2015.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Socar"]
[BlackTeam "Mednyi Vsadnik"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "AZE"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3
d6 9. h3 Re8 10. d4 Bb7 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a3 h6 13. d5 Nb8 {Another possible
idea for Black is:} (13... Ne7 14. Nh2 (14. Nf1 c6 15. dxc6 Bxc6 16. Ng3 Ng6
17. a4 Qd7 $13) 14... Qd7 15. Ndf1 c6 16. Ng4 Nxg4 17. hxg4 cxd5 18. exd5 Rac8
19. Ng3 Rc4 $5 {An intuitive exchange sacrifice} 20. Bxc4 bxc4 21. b4 Nxd5 22.
Ne4 h5 23. g5 Qc6 $13 {0-1 (87) Navara,D (2722)-Saric,I (2626) Aix-les-Bains
2011}) 14. Nh2 Nbd7 15. Ng4 $5 {Not the most common move here , but it is not
unknown.} ({White's most frequently played move here is:} 15. Qf3 {now Black
has used a couple of ideas:} c6 ({or:} 15... a5 16. Ndf1 Nc5 17. Ba2 b4 18.
cxb4 axb4 19. Ng3 bxa3 20. b4 Ncd7 21. Bb3 c6 22. dxc6 Bxc6 23. Bxa3 Ba4 24.
Ba2 g6 25. Bc1 Qe7 26. Ng4 Nxg4 27. Qxg4 Kh7 28. Qf3 Nf6 29. Bd2 Bg7 30. Qd3
Qd7 31. Bc4 $13 {1-0 (63) Van Kampen,R (2636)-Ghaem Maghami,E (2586) Montreal
2014}) ({also possible is:} 15... Nh7 16. Ndf1 g6 17. Ng4 Qh4 18. a4 Ng5 19.
Qe2 Nxe4 $2 20. Qxe4 f5 21. Qc2 fxg4 22. Qxg6+ $18 {1-0 (27) Fedorchuk,S (2657)
-Zult,D (2237) Maastricht 2015}) 16. dxc6 Bxc6 17. Ng4 Qe7 18. Nf1 Nxg4 19.
hxg4 Qf6 20. Ne3 Qxf3 21. gxf3 Nb6 22. Rd1 Rac8 23. Nd5 Nxd5 24. Bxd5 Bxd5 25.
Rxd5 Rc4 26. Be3 f6 27. Kf1 Kf7 28. Ke2 Ke6 $11 {1/2-1/2 (33) Vachier Lagrave,
M (2754)-Svidler,P (2734) Khanty-Mansiysk 2015}) 15... Nc5 {Previously we have
seen the following idea:} (15... g6 16. Nf1 Kh7 17. Nxf6+ (17. a4 $5) 17...
Nxf6 18. g4 Nd7 19. Qf3 Bg7 20. Be3 Rf8 21. Rad1 Bf6 $1 22. Ng3 Bg5 23. Kg2 Nb6
$13 {0-1 (45) Motylev,A (2705)-Karjakin,S (2725) Dagomys 2010}) 16. Nxf6+ Qxf6
17. Bc2 c6 18. b4 Nd7 19. Nb3 $5 cxd5 20. Na5 Rab8 21. Nxb7 Rxb7 22. Qxd5 Rc7 {
White has got the bishop pair but the c-file and pressure on the c3-pawn help
Black a lot to create counterplay.} 23. Qd3 Rec8 24. Bd2 Nb6 $1 25. a4 Nc4 26.
axb5 axb5 27. Bb3 {Although White won a game at this point I think it was
better to play in a different manner:} (27. Bc1 Nb6 (27... Qe6 28. Bb3 Rd8 29.
Rd1 $14) 28. Qxb5 Rxc3 29. Qxb6 Rxc2 30. Be3 $14) 27... Nxd2 {Black now missed
a very good idea:} (27... d5 $1 28. exd5 (28. Bxc4 dxc4 $11) 28... Nxd2 29.
Qxd2 Rxc3 {Looks very much ok for Black}) 28. Qxd2 Rxc3 29. Re3 Rxe3 30. fxe3
Rc7 31. Bd5 {Now it is a bit unpleasant for Black...} g6 $6 {not the right plan
} (31... Qd8 32. Qd3 Qe8 33. Ra5 Be7 $1 34. Qxb5 Qxb5 35. Rxb5 Bg5 36. Kf2 Rc3
$132) 32. Qd3 Qg5 33. Rf1 h5 34. Rf3 $16 {Black has failed to find a an
accurate defensive plan and is facing big problems.} Qh4 35. Kh2 Bh6 36. Qxb5 {
Now it is just winning} Kh7 37. Qe8 Bg7 38. Bxf7 Re7 39. Qd8 1-0

[Event "EU-chT (Men) 20th"]
[Site "Reykjavik"]
[Date "2015.11.16"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Aronian, Levon"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C67"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2781"]
[Annotator "CB"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2015.11.13"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ISL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 170"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.01.15"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Armenia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ARM"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5
8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. h3 Ke8 10. Nc3 h5 11. Ne2 Be7 12. Bg5 Be6 13. Nf4 Bd5 14. Nxd5
({Eine andere Spielweise ist} 14. Bxe7 Kxe7 15. Ng5) 14... cxd5 {Damit ist die
schwarze Bauernmehrheit am Damenflügel wieder verwertbar, das schwarze
Läuferpaar aber halbiert.} 15. Rad1 c6 16. Rfe1 h4 17. Rd3 Rh5 18. Bxe7 {
Der erste neue Zug.} (18. Bf4 g6 19. a4 Rd8 20. Red1 Ng7 21. Be3 Ne6 22. a5 a6
23. c3 {1/2-1/2 (23) Karjakin,S (2747)-Pashikian,A (2639) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}
) 18... Kxe7 19. Red1 Rd8 20. c4 d4 21. b4 b6 22. Kf1 c5 23. bxc5 bxc5 24. Ra3
Rd7 25. Ne1 Rh6 {[#]} 26. Nd3 {Gemäß klassischer Lehre. Der Springer
blockiert den Freibauern. Weiß hat gutes Spiel am Damenflügel.} Rc6 27. Rb1
Rdc7 28. Nf4 Rd7 29. Rb8 g5 $2 {Schwächt f6.} (29... a6 30. Nd5+ Ke6 31. Re8+
Ne7 32. Ke2 f6 33. exf6 gxf6 {ist nicht schön, aber auch nicht sofort
verloren.}) 30. Nd5+ Ke6 31. Re8+ Ne7 32. Ke2 {[#] Schwarz gehen die Züge aus.
} Rb6 {Das Opferangebot lehnt Weiß erst einmal ab. [#]} 33. Kd3 {Der Plan
lautet: Kd3-e4, Tf3-f6#} Rb2 34. Ra6+ Rb6 35. Nxb6 {Nun aber...} axb6 36. Rxb6+
Kxe5 37. Rc6 Kf5 38. Rxc5+ Kf6 39. Rb8 Ng6 40. Rb6+ Ke7 41. Rxg5 Nf4+ 42. Ke4 (
42. Ke4 d3 (42... Ne2 43. Rd5 $18) 43. Kxf4 d2 44. Re5+ Kf8 45. Rb1 d1=Q 46.
Rxd1 Rxd1 47. a4 $18 {mit reichlich weißen Mehrbauern.}) 1-0

[Event "Tata Steel-A 78th"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "2016.01.27"]
[Round "10"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D02"]
[WhiteElo "2769"]
[BlackElo "2744"]
[Annotator "Mekhitarian,K"]
[PlyCount "62"]
[EventDate "2016.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "13"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "20"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 171"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceVersion "2"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.03.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 {The London System has been used a lot by top players,
specially in rapid and blitz games. It's a solid way to develop, keeping live
play and a lot of pieces. Karjakin himself tried it a couple of times in the
World Rapid Championship, and also in a classical game in 2015.} d5 3. e3 e6 4.
Nf3 (4. c4 $5 {would transpose to a standard QGD position, a weapon commonly
used by Adams as Black, which probably made Karjakin follow the standard
London paths, with c3.}) 4... c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3 (8.
Bb5 {a move tried in some occasions by the biggest all-time London player, GM
Gata Kamsky. It was also seen in the game between Carlsen and Karjakin from
the World Blitz Championship, when Sergey scored a great win} a6 $5 9. Bxc6
bxc6 10. Ne5 Qc7 11. Nd3 c4 12. Bxd6 Qxd6 13. Nc5 e5 14. b3 cxb3 15. axb3 Re8
16. O-O Ng4 $1 17. g3 Qh6 18. h4 $13 {Carlsen,M (2850)-Karjakin,S (2762) Wch
Blitz Berlin 2015 (11) 0-1 and later the weaknesses around the white king were
felt}) 8... b6 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. f4 Ne7 $1 {This is a very important positional
idea, Black wants to play ...Nf5 followed by ...Be7 (freeing d6) and ...Nd6,
focusing the crucial e4-square and then preparing ...f6 at some point.
Karjakin had a game like this as Black, and even if he hadn't, it's obvious
that he knew this plan as being the most effective for Black. I wonder what
was his idea playing the London, because in this game, Adams got a very
healthy position early on, and one of Karjakin's biggest qualities is choosing,
knowing and understanding his openings nearly better than anyone else in the
world. Possibly he was wanted to try this quick g4-g5 as in the game, but it's
hard to say.} 11. Qf3 (11. Qc2 c4 12. Be2 Nf5 13. Bf2 Be7 14. Ng4 Nxg4 15. Bxg4
Nd6 16. f5 exf5 17. Bxf5 Nxf5 18. Qxf5 Qc8 19. Qf3 b5 20. h4 a5 21. h5 h6 $17 {
Andreikin,D (2720)-Karjakin,S (2762) FIDE World Cup 2015 (4.4) 1/2 and Black
definitely has the better chances,}) 11... Nf5 12. Bf2 Be7 13. g4 (13. O-O Nd6
$15 {and Black has a great position, Nfe4 followed by ...f6 is likely to come.}
) 13... Nd6 {Concluding the aforementioned plan.} 14. g5 Nfe4 15. O-O-O {
In my opinion, the whole plan looks very risky, and Adams tries to punish it
right away.} c4 $1 16. Bc2 (16. Bxe4 $5 {probably would have been a better try}
dxe4 17. Qe2 b5 {now Black has a main plan of opening the queenside with ...
Bd5 and a5-b4. A possible idea at some point is ...Qe8 followed by ...f6, to
remove White's knight pressure on c4.} 18. h4 $5 {It is important to guarantee
the e5-post for the knight, and we will soon see why} Bd5 (18... b4 19. cxb4
Bd5 20. Kb1 Qb6 21. Ndxc4 Nxc4 22. Nxc4 Qxb4 23. Rc1 Rfc8 24. Ne5 $13 {and
White is in the game}) (18... f6 $6 19. gxf6 gxf6 $4 20. Rdg1+ Kh8 21. Ng6+ $1
hxg6 22. Rxg6 Rf7 23. Rh6+ $1 Kg7 24. Qh5 $18) 19. Kb1 Rb8 (19... b4 20. cxb4
a5 21. Ndxc4 axb4 22. b3 $13 {and White conquers some ground on the queenside})
(19... Qe8 20. h5 $1 {this is the idea behind h4} f6 $6 21. gxf6 gxf6 $4 22.
Rdg1+ $1 (22. Rhg1+ $4 Kh8 23. Qg4 Rg8 $19) 22... Kh8 23. Qg4 Rg8 24. Ng6+ $1 {
with mate in few moves - it is very important to keep White's R on h1, and use
the h-pawn to support this attacking idea.}) 20. Rc1 a5 21. h5 Nf5 $36 {
when Black retains the best attacking chances, but advancing the b-pawn is not
a simple job, since c4 is always hanging.}) 16... b5 17. Qh3 b4 $1 {It's hard
to give any good advice for White from now on.} 18. Nxe4 dxe4 19. Be1 Bd5 20.
Rg1 (20. cxb4 a5 $1 21. bxa5 (21. b5 Nxb5 {and Black must have a winning attack
}) 21... c3 $1 22. Bxc3 Rc8 {...Rxc3 or ...Nb5 coming now} 23. Kd2 Nb5 24. Bb3
Nxc3 25. bxc3 Rxc3 $1 26. Rc1 (26. Kxc3 Qxa5+ 27. Kb2 Bxb3 $1 $19 {with mate
to follow soon}) 26... Bb4 27. Rxc3 Bxc3+ 28. Ke2 (28. Kxc3 $2 {loses right
away} Qxa5+ 29. Kb2 Qd2+ 30. Kb1 Bxb3 31. axb3 Rb8 $19) 28... Qxa5 $17) 20...
b3 $1 21. axb3 cxb3 22. Bb1 f5 $5 (22... Rc8 $5 {was also very strong} 23. Ng4
(23. Rg4 Nf5 $19) 23... Nf5 {and all White's direct attacking ideas fail} 24.
Nf6+ (24. Nh6+ gxh6 25. gxh6+ Kh8 $19) 24... Bxf6 25. gxf6 Qxf6 $19) 23. gxf6
Bxf6 24. Rg4 (24. Ng4 a5 25. Nxf6+ Qxf6 $19 {The march of the a-pawn looks
unstoppable and decisive.}) 24... Nf5 25. Kd2 (25. c4 {doesn't solve White's
problems either, but it was a possible try} Bxc4 $1 26. Nxc4 (26. Bxe4 Rc8 27.
Kb1 Bxe5 28. fxe5 Qb6 $19 {followed by ...Qa6}) 26... Rc8 27. Bc3 Rxc4 28. Bxe4
(28. Kd2 Rxc3 $1 29. bxc3 (29. Kxc3 Qa5+ 30. Kxb3 Rb8+ 31. Kc2 Rc8+ $19 {
and mate in a few moves}) 29... Qa5 30. Rgg1 (30. Bxe4 {- 28.Bxe4}) 30... Rc8
31. Rc1 Qa3 32. Bxe4 Qa2+ 33. Kd3 b2 $19) 28... Qa5 $1 {winning by force} (
28... Rxc3+ $2 {doesn't work, White is able to hold the position} 29. bxc3 Qa5
30. Rg2 Qxc3+ 31. Kb1 $13) 29. Bd3 (29. Kd2 Rxc3 30. bxc3 Rc8 $19) 29... Rxc3+
30. bxc3 Qxc3+ (30... Rc8 31. Rg2 $1 Rxc3+ 32. Kb1 $13 {still surviving!}) 31.
Kb1 a5 $3 $19 {and White can't stop the pawn walk towards a3 (or a2), deciding
the game.}) 25... Qa5 26. Ke2 Bxe5 $1 $19 {Opening either the d- or the f-file,
and winning by force.} 27. dxe5 Rad8 28. Kf2 Qa1 29. Bd2 Bc4 30. Qh5 Qxb2 31.
Ke1 Rxd2 {A very nice and clean win by Michael Adams.} 0-1

[Event "Olympiad-42"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2016.09.04"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Bareev, Evgeny"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C06"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2675"]
[PlyCount "63"]
[EventDate "2016.09.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Canada"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CAN"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. Ngf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nfd7 6. c3 Nc6 7. Bd3 f6 8. exf6
Nxf6 9. O-O Bd6 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. b4 Bd6 12. b5 Ne7 13. c4 e5 14. cxd5 Nexd5
15. Ne4 Nxe4 16. Bxe4 Nf6 17. Bg5 O-O 18. Rc1 Qe7 19. Bxf6 gxf6 20. Nh4 Bb4 21.
Rc4 Ba5 22. Nf5 Bxf5 23. Bxf5 Rad8 24. Qh5 Kh8 25. Qh3 Rd4 26. Rfc1 Rfd8 27. g3
Qf7 28. Rxd4 exd4 29. Rd1 b6 30. Rd3 Bb4 31. Rf3 Rf8 32. Rf4 1-0

[Event "Olympiad-42"]
[Site "Baku"]
[Date "2016.09.09"]
[Round "7.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Wang, Yue"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C42"]
[WhiteElo "2738"]
[BlackElo "2737"]
[PlyCount "77"]
[EventDate "2016.09.02"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.11.10"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "China"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "CHN"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7 8.
Nbd2 Bf5 9. Re1 Nxd2 10. Qxd2 Bxd3 11. Qxd3 O-O 12. Bf4 Bd6 13. Bg3 Bxg3 14.
hxg3 Qd7 15. Re3 Rfe8 16. Rae1 Rxe3 17. Rxe3 h6 18. Qb3 Rb8 19. Ne5 Qd6 20.
Nxc6 Qxc6 21. c3 a5 22. Qa3 b6 23. Qe7 b5 24. a3 b4 25. axb4 axb4 26. cxb4 Qc1+
27. Kh2 Qxb2 28. Rf3 Rf8 29. Qc5 c6 30. Qxc6 Qxd4 31. b5 Qe5 32. b6 Re8 33. Rf4
Qe6 34. Qb7 g5 35. Ra4 Qe2 36. f3 d4 37. Qd7 Qe7 38. Qxe7 Rxe7 39. Ra7 1-0

[Event "Bundesliga 1617"]
[Site "Germany"]
[Date "2016.11.19"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Rodshtein, Maxim"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2687"]
[BlackElo "2745"]
[PlyCount "92"]
[EventDate "2016.10.15"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "15"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "Schwaebisch Hall"]
[BlackTeam "Baden-Baden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "GER"]
[BlackTeamCountry "GER"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. c5 c6 8. Bd3
b6 9. b4 a5 10. a3 Ba6 11. O-O Qc8 12. Rb1 h6 13. h3 axb4 14. axb4 Qb7 15. Ne1
Rfc8 16. Qc2 Bd8 17. Bxa6 Rxa6 18. Nd3 b5 19. f3 Bc7 20. Ne2 Rca8 21. Qc3 Ra3
22. Rb3 R3a6 23. Rfb1 Nf8 24. Qe1 Ng6 25. Bxc7 Qxc7 26. Nef4 Nxf4 27. exf4 Nd7
28. Qe3 Nf8 29. h4 h5 30. g3 Ng6 31. Ne5 Nxe5 32. fxe5 f6 33. Re1 Ra2 34. Qf4
Rf8 35. Qe3 Rfa8 36. Qf4 fxe5 37. dxe5 Rc2 38. Rbb1 Raa2 39. Qg5 Qf7 40. f4 d4
41. Ra1 Rg2+ 42. Kh1 Rh2+ 43. Kg1 Rhg2+ 44. Kh1 Qd7 45. Qxh5 Rh2+ 46. Kg1 Rh1+
0-1

[Event "Kilkenny Masters"]
[Site "Kilkenny"]
[Date "2016.11.27"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Jones, Gawain C B"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D03"]
[WhiteElo "2744"]
[BlackElo "2663"]
[PlyCount "95"]
[EventDate "2016.11.25"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[EventCountry "IRL"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 175 Extra"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2016.12.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2016.12.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bg5 Bg7 4. c3 O-O 5. Nbd2 d5 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Be2 Re8 8.
O-O e5 9. a4 a5 10. b4 Qe7 11. Qb3 e4 12. Ne1 b6 13. b5 Bb7 14. Nc2 Nf8 15. c4
Rad8 16. Rac1 Ne6 17. Bh4 Bh6 18. cxd5 Bxd5 19. Bc4 Bg5 20. Bg3 Bb7 21. Rfd1
Ng7 22. h3 Nf5 23. Be5 Nh4 24. Na3 Rc8 25. Rc2 Qd7 26. Rdc1 Nf5 27. Nab1 h5 28.
Nc3 Rcd8 29. Ne2 Nh4 30. Nf4 Bxf4 31. Bxf6 Nxg2 32. Kxg2 Rc8 33. exf4 e3+ 34.
d5 exd2 35. Rxd2 Re4 36. Bb2 Rxf4 37. Qc3 f6 38. Rd4 Rf5 39. Re1 Re8 40. Rde4
Rxe4 41. Rxe4 Kg7 42. h4 g5 43. f3 Bxd5 44. Bxd5 Qxd5 45. Qxc7+ Kg6 46. Qc2 g4
47. Rf4 gxf3+ 48. Kg3 1-0

[Event "London Classic 8th"]
[Site "London"]
[Date "2016.12.13"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Topalov, Veselin"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C65"]
[WhiteElo "2748"]
[BlackElo "2760"]
[Annotator "Kosintseva,N"]
[PlyCount "65"]
[EventDate "2016.12.09"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "ENG"]
[EventCategory "22"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 176"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.01.17"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Even though both players had lost their chance to fight for first place in
the tournament, this game was by far the most interesting in this round.
Whereas the leaders had mostly theoretical battles that ended in draws, this
game is the only one that was sharp and had a result different from a draw.
Surprising enough, Michael Adams outplayed Veselin Topalov in a very sharp
battle, which we usually would not expect. Let's see how it happened.} 1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 {Adams chooses a very positional system and avoids
the theoretical jungles of main Berlin lines.} Bc5 {Personally, I think this
is the better move.} ({The alternative} 4... d6 {is too passive:} 5. O-O Bd7 6.
Re1 $14 {and in my opinion, White will always be slightly better in such
positions because of the bad black dark-squared bishop.}) 5. Bxc6 {Again, this
move represents not the most popular continuation but at the same time I would
say that it is one of the most positional choices for White. He gives up the
light-squared bishop on purpose to limit the activity of the black pieces.
Typical play for Adams - get a drawish position, play it for a hundred moves,
and get a point by betting on his outstanding technique. However, this game
developed according to a different scenario.} dxc6 6. Nbd2 ({The pawn on e5 is
taboo:} 6. Nxe5 $4 Qd4 7. Be3 Qxe5 8. d4 Qxe4 9. dxc5 Qxg2 10. Rf1 Bh3 11. Nd2
Qg6 12. Rh1 O-O-O $19 {with a decisive initiative for Black.}) (6. Be3 {
This is line is playable, but too many pieces get exchanged afterwards, for
example:} Bxe3 7. fxe3 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nd7 {1/2-1/2 (59) Nepomniachtchi,
I (2656)-Ponomariov,R (2737) Dagomys 2010}) 6... Be6 7. O-O {Now the e5-pawn
is hanging.} Bd6 ({As an alternative,} 7... Nd7 {seems to be more solid, on
the one hand, as White has no immediate d4. But on the other hand, White hass
at his disposal an additional resource... to play} 8. Nb3 Bb6 9. Ng5 {,
forcing Black to trade his light-squared bishop for a knight.}) 8. d4 Nd7 ({
Of course not} 8... exd4 $4 {in view of} 9. e5 $18) 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. dxe5 Bxe5
{Normally Black should have no problem in this position. Strangely enough he
got a lot of them...} 11. f4 Bd4+ (11... Qd4+ $5 {seems to be risky from a
human point of view as this queen can be easily attacked by White's pieces.
But at the same time with such a centralised queen Black can provoke White
into playing too aggressively and then counter-attack under favourable
conditions. For example:} 12. Kh1 Bd6 13. c3 (13. f5 Bc4 14. c3 (14. e5 Bxf1
15. exd6 Bxg2+ $1 16. Kxg2 O-O-O 17. dxc7 Rd5 $132) 14... Qc5 15. Nxc4 (15. e5
Bxf1 16. exd6 Bd3 17. Qe1+ Kf8 18. dxc7 Qxf5 $13) 15... Qxc4 16. e5 Bxe5 17.
Re1 f6 18. Qd4 Qd5 19. Bf4 O-O 20. Bxe5 fxe5 21. Qxd5+ cxd5 22. Rxe5 Rad8 $11)
(13. e5 Bc5 14. f5 Bd5 15. Qe2 b5 $1 $132) 13... Qd3 14. f5 (14. Rf3 Bg4 $1 15.
Rxd3 Bxd1 16. Nc4 Bc2 17. Nxd6+ cxd6 18. Rxd6 Bxe4 $11) 14... Bd7 (14... Bc4
15. Rf3 Qe2 16. Qg1 $36) 15. Rf3 Qb5 16. a4 Qe5 17. Nf1 O-O-O $132) 12. Kh1 f6
{A very natural move. Black restricts the further advance of White's central
pawns.} (12... f5 $5 {An interesting alternative.} 13. Qe2 (13. exf5 Bxf5 14.
Re1+ Kf7 $132 {and the temporary position of the black king in the centre is
fully compensated for by the activity of Black's bishop pair.}) (13. e5 Qd5
$132) 13... O-O 14. Nf3 Bc5 15. Ng5 Qe7 {and again the activity of the black
pieces seems to be good compensation for a worse pawn configuration:} 16. Be3 (
16. Nxe6 Qxe6 17. e5 Rfd8 $18 18. Be3 Bxe3 19. Qxe3 Qc4 $132) 16... Bxe3 17.
Qxe3 Bc4 $1 18. Rfe1 fxe4 19. Qh3 (19. Qxe4 Qxe4 20. Rxe4 Bd5 21. Rd4 h6 $36)
19... h6 20. Rxe4 Qf6 21. Rxc4 hxg5 $132) 13. c3 Bb6 ({If Topalov had a second
chance to play this position, he would probably prefer} 13... Be3 {,trading
his dark-squared bishop for the white knight and betting on the drawish
tendency of opposite-coloured bishops.}) 14. f5 Bf7 15. e5 $1 {This is the
only good idea for White in the position. If he does not play dynamically, he
is at risk of getting into trouble in the long run since the position has
become quite open and the pair of black bishops pretty soon can turn into a
real power.} fxe5 {Black had no choice.} 16. Qg4 Qd3 {The major difference
between ...Qd3 and other queen moves is that White cannot play Ne4 - the rook
on f1 is hanging. Otherwise, if the knight gets to e4 White has excellent
compensation for the pawn.} (16... O-O {seems to be very dangerous, in view of}
17. Ne4 ({But not} 17. f6 $2 Bg6 $17) 17... Bd5 (17... h5 18. Qg3 Bc4 19. Bh6
Rf7 20. Rfd1 {and White has a very strong initiative for the pawn, for example:
} Qc8 21. Nf6+ Kh8 $8 (21... Kf8 22. Qxe5 gxh6 23. b3 $1 Ba6 24. Rd7 $3 Rxd7
25. Nxd7+ Qxd7 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. Qg7+ Kd6 28. Rd1+ $18) 22. Nxh5 gxh6 23. Qxe5+
Kg8 24. Nf6+ Rxf6 25. Qxf6 Bf7 26. Rd3 Qf8 27. Rg3+ Kh7 28. Rd1 $36) (17... Bg6
18. Bg5 Qc8 19. Ng3 $40) 18. Ng3 $1 {It is very important for White to keep
the knight that can participate in the attack against the black king.} Kh8 19.
b3 Qe7 20. c4 Bf7 21. Bb2 $36) (16... Qd5 17. Ne4 $1 (17. Qxg7 $4 Rg8 $19)
17... O-O-O 18. Bg5 Rde8 19. f6+ Be6 20. Qh4 $36) 17. Qxg7 Rg8 (17... O-O-O {
fails due to} 18. Qxf7 Be3 19. Qe6+ Kb8 20. Qxe5 Bxd2 21. Bxd2 Qxd2 22. f6 $16
{and White's passed pawn should be a decisive factor in this position.}) 18.
Qxe5+ Kd7 19. Qe4 {The last moves were more or less forced, but now Topalov
had a very important choice and he did not solve the puzzle. The best bet for
Black was 19...Qd5.} Qa6 $2 (19... Qd5 $1 20. c4 (20. Qxd5+ $2 {Trades and
simplifications are not always good for the side that has a material advantage.
So, in this particular position after} Bxd5 21. Nf3 Raf8 $15 {Black gets the
pawn back and his bishops will dominate the position.}) 20... Qd4 $1 (20...
Qxe4 21. Nxe4 Bxc4 22. Nf6+ Ke7 (22... Kc8 23. Nxg8 Bxf1 24. Bg5 Bc4 25. Re1
$18 {with the deadly threat of Re8.}) (22... Kd6 23. Re1 $1 Rgf8 24. Bf4+ Kc5
25. Ne4+ Kb5 26. a4+ Ka6 27. a5 Bd4 28. Ra4 $18) 23. Nxg8+ Rxg8 24. Rf3 $14 {
followed by Be3.}) 21. Rd1 Kc8 22. h3 $14 {and in spite of the fact that White
keeps an extra pawn, Black has good chances to survive in the endgame thanks
to his bishop pair.}) 20. f6 {Now Black gets into real trouble.} Rae8 $6 {
A follow-up mistake. It was essential for Black to secure his king, even if it
means having to give up another pawn:} (20... Rad8 $1 {but also here White has
a clear advantage after} 21. b3 Kc8 22. Nc4 $16 {The reason is that the black
queen has become so decentralised.} Bd5 23. Qf5+ Kb8 24. Bg5) 21. Qf5+ $1 {
The pawn on h7 is venimous.} (21. Qxh7 $2 Qe2 $1 22. Qxf7+ Kc8 23. g3 Rh8 $19)
21... Kd8 (21... Be6 22. Qxh7+ Kc8 23. f7 Bxf7 24. Qxf7 Qe2 25. Qf3 $18) (21...
Re6 22. c4 $1 {Cutting off the black queen!}) 22. c4 $1 {Adams plays like a
machine. I wonder whether he might have analysed this position at home and we
are again seeing another game that actually "was not played on board" as Peter
Svidler said recently... ?!} Qa5 (22... Bd4 23. Rd1 c5 24. Nf3 Qxc4 25. Bg5 $18
{and Black is helpless.}) 23. Qh3 $1 {Again the strongest move.} (23. Qxa5 {
The endgame is not only not better for White, it might be better for Black!}
Bxa5 24. Nb3 Bb4 25. Bd2 Bxd2 26. Rad1 Kc8 27. Nxd2 Re2 $44) 23... Qb4 ({
In the event of} 23... Be6 {White wins material after} 24. Qd3+ Kc8 25. f7 Bxf7
26. Rxf7 Re1+ 27. Rf1 Qg5 28. Qh3+ $18) 24. Qxh7 $6 {That looks too greedy.
There was a better continuation.} (24. Nb3 $1 {Here Black probably would
resign in a couple of moves.} Qxc4 (24... Re1 25. Bg5 $1 Rxf1+ 26. Rxf1 Rxg5
27. Rd1+ $18) (24... Be6 25. Qd3+ Qd6 26. Qc2 $18) 25. Rd1+ Bd5 26. f7 Qe2 27.
Rxd5+ cxd5 28. fxe8=Q+ Kxe8 (28... Rxe8 29. Bg5+ $18) 29. Bf4 $18) 24... Qf8 $6
{Too passive.} ({Perhaps, the best chance was} 24... Bg6 25. Qh3 Rh8 26. Qg4
Bh5 27. Qf5 {The position is still won for White, but the game goes on and
requires some precision.}) 25. b3 Bd4 (25... Re2 $4 26. Qd3+ $18) 26. Qd3 Qd6 (
26... c5 27. Nf3 Bg6 28. Qd1 Qxf6 $4 29. Bg5 $18) 27. Ne4 {The game is coming
to an end.} Qd7 (27... Rxe4 28. Qxe4 Bxa1 29. Bf4 Rg4 30. Bxd6 Rxe4 31. Be7+
Ke8 32. Rxa1 $18 {The endgame is bad in itself, but to play such an ending
against Adams makes absolutely no sense.}) 28. Rd1 {Now Black loses by force.}
Kc8 (28... c5 29. Nxc5 $18) 29. Qxd4 Qg4 30. Bg5 $1 {A very strong last trick!}
Rxe4 (30... Rxg5 31. Nxg5 Qxg5 32. Qd7+ Kb8 33. Qd8+ Rxd8 34. Rxd8#) (30...
Qxe4 31. Qxe4 Rxe4 32. h4 $18 {Again, no chance here for Black.}) 31. Qxa7 {
The threat on a8 is deadly.} Bd5 32. Qa8+ Kd7 33. Rxd5+ {After 33....cxd5 34.
Qxg8 White wins.} 1-0

[Event "Gibraltar Masters 15th"]
[Site "Caleta"]
[Date "2017.01.28"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Hou, Yifan"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A33"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2651"]
[PlyCount "139"]
[EventDate "2017.01.24"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "10"]
[EventCountry "GGB"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. a3 Bc5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. e4
O-O 9. Be2 b6 10. O-O Bb7 11. Be3 d6 12. f4 Rc8 13. Rc1 Nb8 14. Qd3 a6 15. Nd4
Nc6 16. b4 Nxd4 17. Bxd4 Nd7 18. Qg3 Bf6 19. Rfd1 Qc7 20. Bxf6 Nxf6 21. e5 dxe5
22. fxe5 Nd7 23. Rd6 f6 24. exf6 Rxf6 25. Bd3 Rcf8 26. Rd1 g6 27. Be2 Nc5 28.
Qe3 Rf2 29. Qxf2 Rxf2 30. Kxf2 Kg7 31. bxc5 Qxc5+ 32. R1d4 Bd5 33. Rd7+ Kh6 34.
Ke3 Bc6 35. Ne4 Qxa3+ 36. Kf2 Qf8+ 37. Bf3 Bxd7 38. Rxd7 Qc8 39. Ra7 Qxc4 40.
h4 Qd4+ 41. Kg3 Qe5+ 42. Kh3 Qf5+ 43. Kg3 Qe5+ 44. Kh3 Qf5+ 45. Kh2 Qf4+ 46. g3
Qxf3 47. Rxh7+ Kxh7 48. Ng5+ Kg7 49. Nxf3 a5 50. g4 a4 51. Nd4 a3 52. Nxe6+ Kf6
53. Nd4 Ke5 54. Nc2 Kf4 55. Kh3 a2 56. g5 b5 57. Na1 b4 58. Nb3 Ke5 59. h5 gxh5
60. Kh4 Kd5 61. g6 Kc4 62. Na1 Kc3 63. g7 Kb2 64. g8=Q Kxa1 65. Qc4 Kb2 66.
Qxb4+ Kc2 67. Qa3 Kb1 68. Qb3+ Ka1 69. Kg5 h4 70. Qc2 1-0

[Event "Sharjah FIDE GP"]
[Site "Sharjah"]
[Date "2017.02.18"]
[Round "1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Salem, AR Saleh"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D41"]
[WhiteElo "2751"]
[BlackElo "2656"]
[Annotator "Schroeder,J"]
[PlyCount "119"]
[EventDate "2017.02.18"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "UAE"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 177"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.03.16"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[TimeControl "40/6000+30:20/3000+30:900+30"]

{The first round of Sharjah Grand Prix started with interesting pairings, such
as Nakamura vs Jakovenko or Tomashevsky vs Aronian. Anyway, I enjoyed it even
more to follow the game of Michael Adams because it is pretty impressive how
he often manages to outplay his opponents without allowing counterplay at all.
} 1. c4 {[%emt 0:00:00] Although Adams is an ,,e4 player'', he recently tried
1.c4 for instance against Fabiano Caruana (December 2016) and Hou Yifan 
(January 2017).} c5 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 2. Nf3 {[%emt 0:00:11]} Nf6 {[%emt 0:00:
07]} 3. Nc3 {[%emt 0:00:13]} d5 {[%emt 0:00:21]} 4. cxd5 {[%emt 0:00:06]} Nxd5
{[%emt 0:00:02]} 5. e3 $5 {[%emt 0:00:06] This is typical for Adams. He wants
to avoid forced lines which could arise for instance after 5.e4!?. As a result,
he gains a playable position with small chances for an advantage.} (5. e4 Nb4
6. Bc4 Nd3+ 7. Ke2 Nf4+ (7... Nxc1+ 8. Rxc1 a6 $5 {was tried in the game Giri
vs Harikrishna Tata Steel 2017. The game will become extremely sharp. Even if
this position was allright for Black, I would never play it in a practical
game. White has many different ideas and Black has to know in every line a
precise way to equalize.} (8... Nc6 9. Bb5 $14) 9. d4 b5 10. Bd5 Ra7 11. dxc5 (
11. Ne5 $5 e6 12. Bc6+ Ke7 13. Qd2 f6 14. Nd5+ $1 exd5 15. Rxc5 dxe4 16. Rhc1 (
16. Rd5 Qb6 17. Qb4+ Ke6 18. Qb3 Ke7 {funny pertual}) 16... Be6 17. Qe3 (17. d5
$5)) 11... e6 12. c6 $5 (12. b4 $5)) 8. Kf1 Nd3 9. Qe2 $5 {In the game Aronian
vs So at London Chess Classic 2016 Black was in big trouble after the opening
but I am confident that his play can be improved.}) 5... e6 {[%emt 0:00:29]} 6.
Bc4 $5 {[%emt 0:00:34]} (6. d4 {This would have led to a transposition to the
Semi-Tarrasch which should be fine for Black.}) 6... Be7 {[%emt 0:02:57]} 7.
O-O {[%emt 0:00:21]} O-O {[%emt 0:00:11]} 8. Qe2 {[%emt 0:00:55] Played very
fast, which implies that Adams was still in his preperation. In comparison to
8th d4 it is not too clear, which setup should be chosen by Black. Anyway,
Black did not seem to be impressed at all and played on quite fast.} (8. d4
cxd4 9. exd4 Nxc3 10. bxc3 Qc7 11. Qe2 Nd7 12. Bd3 $5 {Black should accept
this pawn sacrifice otherwise he is just worse due to White's attacking
prospects and the bad bishop on c8} (12. Bd2 b6 $11) 12... Qxc3 $13 (12... Nf6
13. c4 b6 14. Ne5 Bb7 15. f4 $5 $40)) 8... Nc6 $5 {[%emt 0:01:38]} 9. d4 {
[%emt 0:03:53]} cxd4 {[%emt 0:21:22] Played after more than 20 minutes of
thinking. Personally, I dislike the idea connected with this move because it
is just too slow.} (9... b6 10. Rd1 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Na5 12. Bd3 $13 {[%cal Gd8c7,
Gc8b7,Re3e4,Re4e5] but might be a bit dangerous for Black.}) (9... Bf6 10. Rd1
cxd4 11. exd4 b6 $13) 10. exd4 {[%emt 0:00:09]} Nb6 $6 {[%emt 0:00:04]} (10...
Nxc3 $5 11. bxc3 b6 12. Bd3 Bb7 13. Qe4 g6 14. Bh6 Re8 {with a normal position.
My computer tells me 0.00, but in a practical game I'd prefer White. Anyway,
Black has a playable position.}) 11. Bd3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:58] Just sacrificing
the pawn. The insecurity of Black's queen and his behindhand development
secure White a strong initiative.} Nxd4 {[%emt 0:03:19]} (11... Bd7 {Though it
is computer suggestion, it feels pretty stupid. If Black plays ...Nb6 he has
to take on d4, too} 12. a3 $14) 12. Nxd4 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Qxd4 {[%emt 0:00:02]}
13. Rd1 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Qh4 {[%emt 0:00:44]} (13... Qf6 14. Bc2 $5 {Highly
interesting prophylatic move against Black's main idea ...Bd7.} (14. Be4 Bd7
15. Bxb7 Rab8 16. Be4 Rfd8 {White controls the game but I am not sure wether
he is much better.}) 14... g6 (14... Bd7 $6 15. Rxd7 Nxd7 16. Qd3 Qf5 17. Qxd7
Qxc2 18. Qxe7 $16) (14... e5 15. a4 $1 {Fighting for the d5-square} Bf5 16. a5
Bxc2 17. Qxc2 Nc8 18. Be3 $5 {This feels unpleasant for Black. Although he is
a pawn up he cannot free his knight on d8.} (18. Nd5 Qc6 19. Qe2 Rd8 20. Qxe5
Bd6 21. Qe4 Ne7 $1 $11) 18... Nd6 $4 19. Nd5 Qe6 20. Nxe7+ Qxe7 21. Bc5 Qc7 22.
Qc1 $1 $18) 15. Be4 Bd7 16. Bxb7 Rab8 17. Bf3 $5 {Maybe this is a better
version in comparison to 14.Be4. Anyway, Black has still good chances to
equalize.}) (13... Qc5 {Computer suggestion, but it looks very strange to
allow White to develop his bishop with tempo} 14. Be3 Qe5 15. Be4 $14) 14. g3 {
[%emt 0:10:23]} (14. Be4 $5) 14... Qh3 {[%emt 0:02:51]} 15. Be4 {[%emt 0:03:01]
} e5 {[%emt 0:03:34] What else? Black has to free his bishop one day and
therefore e5 feels neccesary. Nevertheless, this moves seriously weakens the
d5-square. Adams exploits that impressively.} (15... Bd7 $2 16. Bxb7 Rad8 17.
Bf4 $16) 16. Bg2 {[%emt 0:06:07]} Qf5 {[%emt 0:12:37]} (16... Qg4 {Maybe it is
clever to provoke Bf3. In many lines the bishop might be better on g2. However,
finding ideas like this is not possible for a human being.} 17. Bf3 Qe6 $5 18.
a4 Rb8 19. a5 Nd7 20. Be3 Bc5 21. Nb5 e4 {is an extra option when the bishop
is on f3. Although Black is still worse here he might be able to hold this
position.}) (16... Qe6 $6 17. a4 Rb8 18. a5 Nd7 19. Be3 Bc5 20. Nb5 $16) 17. a4
$1 {[%emt 0:07:01]} a5 $2 {[%emt 0:31:39] Black's position was already
extremely unpleasant. However, after this move his position feels horrible and
is pretty close to be lost.} (17... Nd7) 18. Be3 {[%emt 0:08:30]} (18. Qb5 Nd7
$6 (18... Qe6 19. Be3 Nd7 20. Nd5 $16) 19. Nd5 Bd8 20. b3 $1 $18 {[%csl Rd7]
[%cal Gc1a3,Ga1c1,Gd5e3]}) 18... Nd7 {[%emt 0:06:51]} 19. Nd5 {[%emt 0:11:59]}
Bd8 {[%emt 0:01:53]} 20. Rac1 $16 {[%emt 0:14:06] Now it is already difficult
to find moves for Black.} Kh8 $1 {[%emt 0:02:36] Freeing the g8-square for the
rook and getting rid of all Ne7+ motives.} (20... Nf6 $2 21. Bc5 Re8 22. Ne3
Qe6 23. Rd6 Qe7 24. Ra6 $18) 21. Qb5 {[%emt 0:14:35]} (21. Nc7 $5 {This feels
even more dominant.} Bxc7 22. Rxc7 Nf6 23. h3 $16 {[%cal Yg3g4,Ye3c5,Yd1d6]}) (
21. h3 $5) 21... Nf6 {[%emt 0:06:04]} 22. Bc5 {[%emt 0:03:36]} (22. h3 Nxd5 23.
Rxd5 Bf6 24. g4 Qg6 25. Qc4 Bg5 26. Rxe5 Bxe3 27. Rxe3 $14) (22. Nxf6 Bxf6 23.
Rc7 $14) 22... Rg8 {[%emt 0:00:48]} 23. Ne3 {[%emt 0:03:01]} Qh5 {[%emt 0:03:
19]} 24. Bd6 {[%emt 0:04:09]} Ng4 {[%emt 0:03:07]} 25. Nxg4 {[%emt 0:03:15]} (
25. Nf1 Qf5 $1 26. Qe2 {''human move''} (26. f3 {looks ugly but maybe is poses
Black serious problems.} Nf6 27. Ne3 Qe6 28. Nc4 Bd7 29. Qxb7 $14) 26... Bb6
27. Bc5 Bxc5 28. Rxc5 $16 {[%csl Rb7,Re5]}) 25... Bxg4 {[%emt 0:00:05]} 26. Re1
{[%emt 0:03:35]} Ra6 $2 {[%emt 0:00:43]} (26... Rc8 27. Rxc8 Bxc8 28. Bxe5 (28.
Bxb7 Bxb7 29. Qxb7 f6 30. b4 $16) 28... f6 29. Bd4 $16) 27. Bxe5 {[%emt 0:03:
02]} Rb6 {[%emt 0:02:02]} 28. Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:37]} Qg6 {[%emt 0:02:42]} (28...
f6 $6 29. Bd4 Qxd5 30. Bxd5 Rd6 31. Bxg8 $18) 29. Be4 {[%emt 0:01:22]} (29.
Qxa5 {is the Computer move but Adams' decision feels so natural and leads to a
very strong position, too.} Rxb2 30. Qc3 Rb6 31. Bd5 $16) 29... Qh5 $2 {
[%emt 0:02:05]} (29... Qe6 30. Bc3 Qxd5 31. Bxd5 {Black will lose a pawn now 
(a5 or f7). The endgame should be lost.} Bf6 (31... Be6 32. Bxe6 Rxe6 33. Rxe6
fxe6 34. Rd1 $18 {[%cal Yd1d7]}) 32. Bxf7 Bxc3 33. Rxc3 Rf8 34. f3 Bd7 35. b3
$18) 30. Rc5 $2 {[%emt 0:01:55]} (30. Rc8 $1 {This beautiful move could have
ended the game pretty soon. I am very sure that Adams saw this move but he
might be afraid of 30...Rh6. In time trouble the stronger side normally do not
want to allow any kind of counterplay so he might have decided to play solid.}
Rh6 (30... Bxc8 31. Bxg7+ {[%cal Yd5h5]}) (30... Be7 31. Rxg8+ Kxg8 32. Qxa5
$18) 31. Rxd8 $1 {absolutely fearless} (31. h4) 31... Qxh2+ 32. Kf1 Bh3+ (32...
Qh3+ 33. Bg2) 33. Ke2 $18) 30... Rh6 {[%emt 0:00:17]} (30... Re6 31. Qd4 Qg5 {
Without provoking h4 this square is availible for Black's queen. Still, White
is more or less winning} 32. h4 Qe7 33. Rb5 $16) 31. h4 {[%emt 0:00:41]} b6 {
[%emt 0:00:38]} 32. Rb5 {[%emt 0:00:46]} Re6 $2 {[%emt 0:00:40]} (32... Be2 $5
33. Bd3 $1 (33. Rb3 Re6 {is not what White aimed for}) (33. Bxg7+ $2 Kxg7 34.
Qd4+ Bf6 35. Rxh5 Bxd4 36. Rg5+ Kf8 37. Rxg8+ Kxg8 38. Rxe2 Re6 {with very
good drawing chances}) 33... Bxd3 34. Qxd3 {[%cal Re5g7]} Qg6 35. Qxg6 Rxg6 36.
Rd1 $16) 33. Qd4 $1 {[%emt 0:01:27] Black cannot defend against all White
ideas such as Bxg7 and Qxd8 or Rxh5 and Bd5 and take on g4.} f6 {[%emt 0:00:32]
} 34. Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:39]} Bxf6 {[%emt 0:00:31]} 35. Rxh5 {[%emt 0:00:04]}
Bxh5 {[%emt 0:00:15]} (35... Bxd4 $4 36. Rxh7#) 36. Qc4 $18 {[%emt 0:02:54]
Although in positions like this the defender has sometimes many ideas to hold
his position, things are different here. Black cannot organise and activate
his pieces wheras White will exchange rooks pretty soon.} Rge8 {[%emt 0:00:23]}
(36... Bf7 $5 37. Re3 Rd8 (37... Rge8 38. Bd5 $5 Rxe3 39. fxe3 Bxd5 40. Qxd5 h6
41. Qc6 $18) 38. Rd3 Rxd3 39. Qxd3) 37. Re3 $1 {[%emt 0:00:07]} Bxb2 {[%emt 0:
00:55]} 38. Qb5 $1 {[%emt 0:01:34] To my mind this is just brilliant technique.
Obviously, my stupid Stockfish, who is too materialistic, does not want to
play like this because he calculates long lines where he wins a pawn. However,
Adams feels that the resulting position ist won because he can slowly improve
his position and Black cannot.} (38. Bc6 Rxe3 39. fxe3 Rc8 40. Qe6 Rd8 41. Qb3
Bf6 42. Qxb6 {Too complicated for a human being.}) 38... Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:30]}
39. Rxe4 {[%emt 0:01:46]} Rxe4 {[%emt 0:00:01]} 40. Qxh5 {[%emt 0:00:08]} Bf6 {
[%emt 0:51:00]} 41. Qd5 {[%emt 0:51:19]} Rd4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 42. Qc6 {[%emt 0:
00:00]} h6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 43. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rb4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 44.
Kh3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} b5 {[%emt 0:00:00] Desperation.} (44... Kg8 45. f4 Kh8 46.
Qc8+ Kh7 47. Qf5+ Kh8 48. Qe6 Rb2 (48... Rxa4 $4 49. Qe8+) 49. g4 $18 {Black
will be mated soon.}) 45. axb5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} a4 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 46. Qa8+ {
[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 47. Qa5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Be7 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 48. Kg2 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kg8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 49. b6 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Bf8
{[%emt 0:00:00]} 50. Qd5+ {[%emt 0:00:00]} Kh7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 51. b7 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} a3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 52. Qd8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Rxb7 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 53. Qxf8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 54. Qc5 {[%emt 0:00:00]}
Ra8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 55. Qd5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra7 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 56. Qa2 {
[%emt 0:00:00]} h5 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 57. Kf3 {[%emt 0:00:00]} Ra5 {[%emt 0:00:
00]} 58. Ke3 {[%emt 0:00:19]} Kh8 {[%emt 0:00:00]} 59. Kd2 {[%emt 0:00:52]} Ra7
{[%emt 0:02:25]} 60. Kc1 {[%emt 0:01:00] What a great game by Adams! First of
all, he was pretty well prepared. His 8.Qe2 idea is obviously not a serious
attempt for a huge advantage. Nontheless, it leads to interesting and
complicated positions, allowing both sides to play for a win.  After
sacrificing a pawn just for quick development and a bad bishop on c8 he forced
his opponent to weak his squares (for instance with 15...e5). Afterwards, he
outplayed his opponent convincingly, showing superior technique. Even though
he missed some ways to a faster victory like 30.Rc8 he always kept control
which is most important when you have a strategical advantage.  Last but not
least I would like to mention that Salem defended pretty clever, showing
creative ideas like 20...Kh8 in order to prepare ...Rg8.} 1-0

[Event "Gashimov Memorial 4th"]
[Site "Shamkir"]
[Date "2017.04.23"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Karjakin, Sergey"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "D37"]
[WhiteElo "2783"]
[BlackElo "2761"]
[Annotator "Quintiliano,R"]
[PlyCount "78"]
[EventDate "2017.04.21"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "AZE"]
[EventCategory "21"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 178"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.05.14"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 a6 {This interesting variation is being
played by many grandmasters, like Carlsen, Nakamura, Andreikin, and now Adams,
among others. It is not exactly a new move, but just now Black is paying it
serious attention. I faced this position three times recently, and couldn't
get any advantage with White.} 5. cxd5 {The main move, trying to explore ...a6
in a traditional Queen's Gambit Exchange Variation, but Black has an
interesting and original plan to develop his pieces and keep a solid position.
White has a lot of options, and the practice of this variation in high-level
games will show more to us, but for now is safe to say Black is ok.} (5. c5 $5
{was played recently, and I tried this in my third game against 4... a6} b6 6.
cxb6 cxb6 7. Bf4 {White has transposed to a Slav Exchange structure, and this
promises a long-term tiny advantage, and an easier position, but objectively
speaking Black has a solid position also} Bd6 8. Ne5 (8. Bg5 Nbd7 9. e3 O-O 10.
Bd3 Bb7 11. O-O Qb8 $5 {[%cal Yf8c8,Yf6e4];Quintiliano Pinto,R (2494)-Gauche,C
(2197) Florianopolis zt 2.4 2017 (5) 1/2}) (8. Bg3 Bb7 9. e3 O-O 10. Rc1 Nc6
11. Bd3 Rc8 12. O-O b5 $11 {Maghsoodloo,P (2576)-Mareco,S (2664) Sharjah
Masters 1st 2017 (8) 1/2}) 8... Bb7 9. e3 Nc6 10. Rc1 O-O 11. Bd3 Bxe5 $1 12.
Bxe5 Nxe5 13. dxe5 Ne4 $11 {Jobava,B (2701)-Khismatullin,D (2639) Moscow
Aeroflot op-A 16th 2017 (8) 1/2}) (5. g3 {is interesting, but White now has to
analyse the typical ideas of the Catalan.}) (5. e3 dxc4 (5... c5 {is a very
popular line in the Tarrasch Variation}) 6. Bxc4 b5 {[%cal Yc8b7,Yc7c5] Black
is developing very quickly with Bb7 and c5, in a sort of improved Queen's
Gambit Accepted, and scores really well here}) (5. a4 {doesn't seems a good
option, compared with Black's 4... a6, White just seriously weakens the
b4-square} Nbd7 6. e3 b6 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. O-O Bd6 10. b3 Qe7 $1 {
Kantorik,M (2359)-Likavsky,T (2485) Liechtenstein op 25th 2007 (7) 0-1
avoiding Ba3, and Black is fine, but looks equal. Still, Black has a clear
plan here (c5 and play with hanging pawns), and we cannot say the same for
White -}) 5... exd5 6. Bf4 (6. Bg5 {is the main move, and now Black plays} Be6
$5 {which should look strange, but it works very well} 7. e3 (7. Qb3 $6 {
is tempting at first sight, but now Black shows how useful the move 4... a6
can be} b5 $1 {and Nbd7 is coming with a good position for Black} 8. e3 (8.
Bxf6 Qxf6 9. Nxd5 $2 Qd8 $19 {[%csl Rd5]}) 8... Nbd7 9. Be2 c5 $1) 7... Nbd7 8.
Bd3 h6 (8... Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 h6 11. Bf4 $1 (11. Bh4 Re8 12. Rad1 c6 13.
Bh7+ Kh8 14. Bf5 Bxf5 15. Qxf5 g6 16. Qc2 Qe7 $11 {Quintiliano Pinto,R (2491)
-Carneiro,V (2426) BRA-ch 83rd Rio de Janeiro 2017 (9) 1/2}) 11... Qe7 $1 (
11... Bxf4 12. exf4 {[%cal Gf4f5] is very annoying for Black}) 12. Bxd6 Qxd6
13. a3 Bg4 14. Nd2 c5 $5 15. dxc5 Nxc5 16. h3 Bd7 17. Nf3 Rac8 {Riazantsev,A 
(2671)-Carlsen,M (2840) Wch Rapid Doha 2016 (13) 0-1 with enough activity for
Black in return for the isolated pawn; he even managed to win -}) 9. Bh4 g5 $5
{this is probably the most risky option for Black, but still some strong
players have played this} 10. Bg3 Nh5 11. Be5 Ng7 12. h3 (12. Bg3 {leads to a
repetition, and Black tried to change with} c6 13. h3 Nf5 14. Bh2 Bg7 15. Qc2
Ne7 {Quintiliano Pinto,R (2484)-Riazantsev,A (2671) Wch Blitz Doha 2016 (4) 0-1
} 16. O-O $16) (12. O-O g4 13. Bxg7 $1 Bxg7 14. Ne1 h5 15. Qc2 Nb6 16. a4 $1 a5
17. Bf5 Qe7 18. Bxe6 fxe6 19. Nd3 O-O 20. Ne2 $14 {[%csl Gc5,Ge5,Gf4];Kuzubov,
Y (2643)-Santos Ruiz,M (2480) Sharjah Masters 1st 2017 (8) 1-0}) 12... Nxe5 13.
Nxe5 Bd6 14. O-O h5 $2 15. f4 $1 $36 {Van Wely,L (2695)-Andreikin,D (2736)
Tata Steel-A 79th 2017 (6) 1/2 this strange line with 9... g5?! needs more
tests, but Black has enough solid options to play like this -}) 6... Bd6 7. Bg3
O-O ({Earlier this year, Adams played} 7... Bf5 {but after} 8. e3 (8. Qb3 Nc6
$1 9. Bxd6 Qxd6 10. Qxb7 $2 O-O $19) 8... O-O 9. Qb3 Bxg3 10. hxg3 Nc6 {
Anton Guijarro,D (2650)-Adams,M (2751) Gibraltar Masters 15th 2017 (10) 1/2
the game merely transposed -}) 8. e3 ({Knowing how Black wants develop the
pieces, the move} 8. Qc2 $146 {comes to mind, but after} Nc6 9. a3 Ne7 $1 {
the bishop is coming anyway}) 8... Bf5 9. Qb3 Bxg3 10. hxg3 Nc6 {This is
reminiscent of some of Ragozin's positions, where Black develops this N to c6.
The computer claims an advantage for White, but Black is developing all his
pieces without making serious concessions, he only must be careful to not play
c6, weakening the dark squares on the queenside.} (10... b6 $2 11. Be2 Qd6 12.
Ne5 $1 {[%cal Yg3g4,Yg4g5]} h6 13. g4 Bh7 14. Bf3 Rd8 15. g5 $1 hxg5 16. Rxh7
$1 $18 {Bu,X (2705)-Vitiugov,N (2726) Wch Blitz Doha 2016 (20) 1-0}) (10... Qd6
{was also played, for example} 11. Nh4 Bc8 $6 (11... Bg4 $142) 12. Bd3 g6 13.
Nf3 Nc6 14. Rc1 Ne7 15. Na4 b6 {even in this position, we can see a little
pressure for White, but there's no clear way to increase this advantage, as
Black has a solid position} 16. Ne5 Be6 17. O-O Rfc8 $14 {Vitiugov,N (2724)
-Deac,B (2572) Gibraltar Masters 15th 2017 (9) 1/2 Black defended very well
and White's advantage never was enough to win -}) 11. Be2 (11. Qxb7 $2 Qd6 12.
Qb3 Rab8 13. Qd1 Rxb2 $17) 11... Qd6 12. O-O Ne7 {As in the Ragozin, Black
struggles a little bit to find a good place for this knight.} 13. Ne5 h5 $1 {
I like this move. Ok, Black is giving up some dark squares on the kingside,
but on the other hand, if White is allowed to play g4, then he achieves a
space advantage and can work with this. This sort of advantage is one of the
main weapons of technical players like Carlsen, Karjakin, and also Adams! From
a practical point of view, avoiding this plan was a good decision. Black has
another interesting idea also, which is to disturb the strong white Ne5.} (
13... b6 14. g4 Be6 15. Rac1 Nd7 (15... c5 16. Qa3 $1 Rfd8 17. f4 cxd4 18. Qxd6
Rxd6 19. exd4 $14 {with an easier endgame}) 16. f4 f6 17. Nd3 $1 {to keep
pieces and avoid unecessary exchanges is a basic way to manage a space
advantage. In general White has a slight advantage and an easier game, slowly
improving his posicion. Black has to be careful, because in such positions
active ideas are always dangerous, for example} c5 $2 18. Qa3 $1 Rfc8 19. Na4 {
[%csl Rc5] just winning a pawn.}) 14. Rfc1 Ng4 $1 {[%csl Ge5] This was the
other idea behind Black's h5. White has a slight advantage here, but Black is
playing very well to fight against his opponent's positional advantage.} 15.
Na4 $1 {White also plays to support his knight on e5.} (15. Nxg4 hxg4 {only
helps Black}) (15. Bf3 $5 Nxe5 16. dxe5 Qxe5 17. Nxd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Rab8 $11)
15... b6 16. Qc3 {[%csl Ya4,Ge5] Protecting one of the knights, but the other
can be misplaced for while.} ({but nowit could be interesting to change
direction and play for the centre} 16. Nd3 Rfc8 17. Nf4 g6 18. Bf3 Nf6 19. Nc3
Rd8 20. Re1 {[%cal Ya1d1,Ye3e4] Black's position is still solid, but after
correct preparation, e4 can give some pressure for White.}) 16... Rfc8 17. Nd3
Bd7 18. b3 (18. Qb3 {seems better, keeping the possibility to play Nc3 and
back to the right plan, playing in the centre.}) 18... Ng6 {Slowly, Black is
transferring his pieces to the kingside and preparing an assault there with ...
h4.} (18... Bxa4 $2 19. bxa4 a5 20. Bf3 {is simply better for White, as the
doubled pawns never would be a weakness in this position.}) 19. Qb4 $1 {
This move forces Black to abandon the d6-square, which is ideal for the queen.}
(19. Nab2 a5 $1 (19... Nxe3 $2 {is too hasty} 20. fxe3 Qxg3 21. Qd2 Nh4 22.
Bxh5 $18) 20. Nf4 Nxf4 21. exf4 c5 $5 {with a complicated position, for example
} 22. Nd3 c4 23. Ne5 b5 24. bxc4 bxc4 (24... dxc4 $2 25. a4 $1) 25. Rab1 $13)
19... Qf6 20. Nc3 {Karjakin is a great defender, and probably everything is ok
with White's position, but to leave the queen some moves away from the
kingside looks dangerous, at least during the game.} (20. Qe1 {looks good,
bringing the queen to help the defence of the kingside} Qg5 (20... h4 21. Bxg4
Bxg4 22. gxh4 Nxh4 23. Ne5 $11) 21. Nf4 $1 Nxf4 22. exf4 Qf6 23. Nc3 $1 {
keeping White's position under control.}) 20... Qf5 (20... a5 21. Qa3 c6 {
it was good to keep the queen on f6} 22. Bxg4 Bxg4 23. Qb2 h4 24. gxh4 Qxh4 25.
Qd2 (25. Na4 Rab8) (25. f3 Bf5 26. Ne1) 25... f6 $1 $40 {[%cal Gg8f7,Yc8h8]})
21. a4 a5 (21... h4 22. gxh4 Nxh4 23. Nf4 g5 $2 24. Ncxd5 $1 {[%cal Yd5e7]})
22. Qa3 Nf6 $6 {This retreat enables White to have time to take the initiative
on the queenside.} (22... Qg5 {it's not especially dangerous for White} 23.
Bxg4 Bxg4 24. Nf4 c6 25. Nce2 h4 26. gxh4 Nxh4 27. Ng3 $11) ({but} 22... h4 {
was principled} 23. gxh4 Nxh4 24. Nf4 Nf6 25. b4 g5 {leads to a funny
repetition} 26. Bd3 (26. Nd3 Kg7 {[%cal Gc8h8]}) 26... Qg4 27. Be2 Qf5 28. Bd3
$11) 23. Ra2 $6 {White is trying to set up a solid defence, but here it was
about counterplay!} (23. Nb5 $1 Ne8 (23... h4 24. gxh4 Nxh4 25. Nxc7 Nxg2 $1
26. Qd6 $1 {[%cal Yd6g3] this move is the difficult one} Qg5 27. Qg3 Qxg3 28.
fxg3 Ra7 29. Nb5 Rxc1+ 30. Rxc1 Bxb5 31. Kxg2 Bd7 32. Ne5 $14 {and I'm sure
that Karjakin would enjoy playing this endgame}) 24. Ra2 {and now White is
more active than in the game, not allowing active ideas for Black, for example}
Qg5 (24... h4 $2 25. gxh4 Nxh4 26. Ne5 $1 Bxb5 27. axb5 $14) 25. Nf4 $1 Nxf4
26. gxf4 Qh4 27. Bf3 c6 28. Nd6 Rd8 29. Nxe8 Rxe8 30. b4 $11) 23... Qg5 24. Ne1
(24. Nb5 {now could be more dangerous} h4 25. gxh4 (25. Nxc7 hxg3 26. Nxa8
gxf2+ 27. Nxf2 Rxa8 $44 {[%cal Gg5e3,Gg6h4]}) 25... Nxh4 26. Nf4 Bf5 $5 {
[%cal Yf5e4]} 27. Nxc7 Rab8 {the fact that in this position the computer gives
Rac2 as one serious option, says a lot about the White's risks here: the
bishop coming to e4 is a very annoying threat.}) 24... c5 $1 {This eliminates
White's counterplay with Nb5, the Qd6-g3 manouvres, and Black starts to play
actively also on the queenside, taking advantage of his better piece
coordination.} 25. Nf3 Qh6 {It's a funny picture that both queens were pushed
to a3 and h6.} 26. dxc5 Rxc5 (26... bxc5 $5 {would be interesting, but this
pawn becomes a target now} 27. Nd1 {[%csl Gc5]}) 27. Nb5 (27. b4 $142 axb4 28.
Qxb4 {[%cal Yb4h4]} Rac8 (28... Ne4 29. Rac2 Rac8 30. Bd3 Nxg3 $2 31. Qxb6 $18)
29. a5 $1 bxa5 30. Rxa5 Rxa5 31. Qxa5 h4 32. gxh4 Nxh4 33. Nxh4 Qxh4 34. Rd1
$11) 27... Rac8 28. Rxc5 Rxc5 29. b4 $1 axb4 30. Qxb4 {Now the position is
equal, and the game looks more calm and going for a draw, but Black still can
try a little bit.} Ne4 (30... Rc1+ 31. Bf1 h4 $5 32. gxh4 (32. Nxh4 $4 Ng4 33.
Nf3 Bxb5 $1 34. Qxb5 N6e5 $19) 32... Ng4 33. Qd6 $1 Nxh4 34. Qxh6 Nxf3+ 35.
gxf3 Nxh6 36. Kg2 Nf5 $11) 31. Bf1 (31. Qe1 {for the second time in this game,
this move was safer} h4 32. Nxh4 Nxh4 33. gxh4 Qxh4 34. Nd4 $11) 31... h4 $1 {
Finally!} 32. gxh4 Bxb5 $6 {But this move helps White.} (32... Nxh4 33. Nxh4 (
33. Nbd4 {is probably the move that Black wanted to avoid, but there now
follows a very elegant attacking idea} Nxf3+ 34. Nxf3 d4 $3 {[%cal Gc5h5]} 35.
g3 Bh3 {[%cal Gc5c1]} 36. Bxh3 Qxh3 37. Qe1 {too late!} Rh5 38. Nh4 Ng5 $19)
33... Qxh4 34. f3 Qg5 $1 35. Qe1 (35. fxe4 Qxe3+ 36. Rf2 Bxb5 {[%cal Yc5c2]})
35... Ng3 36. Nd4 Qh4 {probably White can hold, but not without a bit of a
struggle.}) 33. axb5 Nxh4 34. Nxh4 Qxh4 35. Qd4 (35. f3 Qh6 $1) 35... Rc1 36.
Qe5 (36. Qxd5 $2 Rxf1+ $1 37. Kxf1 Qh1+ 38. Ke2 Nc3+ $19) 36... Qd8 37. Qf5 $6
(37. Ra1 $11) 37... g6 38. Qe5 Qc8 39. g3 $4 {After have defended very well,
with one move to complete the time control, White blunders.} (39. Ra1 Rxa1 (
39... Nd2 40. Qb2 Rxa1 41. Qxa1 Nxf1 42. Qxf1 Qc4 43. g3 $11) 40. Qxa1 Qc2 41.
Qe1 $15) 39... Rxf1+ $1 ({After} 39... Rxf1+ 40. Kxf1 Qc4+ 41. Re2 Nd2+ {
White loses the queen or the rook by force.}) 0-1

[Event "Moscow FIDE GP"]
[Site "Moscow"]
[Date "2017.05.18"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Inarkiev, Ernesto"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C77"]
[WhiteElo "2747"]
[BlackElo "2727"]
[PlyCount "83"]
[EventDate "2017.05.12"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 179"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.07.12"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d3 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. a3
O-O 9. Nc3 Nb8 10. a4 b4 11. Nd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd5 c6 13. Bb3 Nd7 14. Be3 Bb7 15.
a5 d5 16. d4 dxe4 17. Nxe5 Nf6 18. Qe2 Qc7 19. Bf4 Bd6 20. Bg3 c5 21. c3 Rac8
22. Rfd1 g6 23. Qe3 cxd4 24. cxd4 Nd5 25. Qh6 Qe7 26. Re1 f5 27. f3 Bxe5 28.
Bxe5 exf3 29. gxf3 Rfe8 30. Rac1 Qf8 31. Qg5 Qf7 32. Kf2 h5 33. Bd6 Rxe1 34.
Rxe1 Re8 35. Rc1 Re6 36. Bxd5 Bxd5 37. Rc8+ Re8 38. Rc7 Qe6 39. Be5 Rc8 40.
Rg7+ Kf8 41. Qh6 Rc2+ 42. Kg1 1-0

[Event "Geneva FIDE GP"]
[Site "Geneva"]
[Date "2017.07.14"]
[Round "8"]
[White "Rapport, Richard"]
[Black "Adams, Michael"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[WhiteElo "2694"]
[BlackElo "2736"]
[Annotator "Marin,M"]
[PlyCount "106"]
[EventDate "2017.07.06"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "SUI"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 180"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2017.09.13"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3 O-O 6. Nbd2 {The King's Indian
Attack has come into the limelight after the Svidler-Karjakin KO final match
in 2015.} a5 (6... c5 7. e4 Nc6 8. Re1 Qc7 (8... b5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Ne4 Bb7
11. c3 a6 12. a4 b4 13. Bg5 {Svidler,P (2727)-Karjakin,S (2762) Baku 2015 CBM
169 [Marin,M] (1-0, 29)}) 9. e5 Nd7 10. Qe2 b5 11. Nf1 Bb7 12. h4 Rfc8 13. Bd2
b4 14. N1h2 Qd8 15. Bg5 h6 16. Bxe7 Nxe7 17. Qd2 a5 {A typical blitz game with
this variation. Black is doing fine but his kingside needs permanent care
while his queenside play does not take concrete contours easily.} 18. h5 c4 {
Or if it does, it also offers White something in exchange, like the d4-square
for instance.} 19. Nd4 Nc6 20. Nhf3 Nxd4 21. Nxd4 cxd3 22. cxd3 Ba6 23. Rad1
Nc5 24. Qe3 Qg5 25. f4 Qxh5 {Black has won a pawn but his queen is insecure.}
26. Rd2 Qg6 27. Red1 Bxd3 $6 28. Rxd3 Nxd3 29. f5 $1 exf5 30. Qxd3 {
Nepomniachtchi,I (2751)-Dominguez Perez,L (2739) Saint Louis (blitz) 2017 (1-0,
63). And finally White has the more pleasant position.}) 7. e4 a4 8. c3 ({
A more popular move is} 8. a3 {, blocking the daring pawn, as for instance in
Karjakin,S (2760)-Aronian,L (2786) Moscow 2016 CBM 172 [Sadorra,J] (1/2-1/2,
31)}) 8... Nc6 9. e5 Nd7 10. d4 {White rarely plays this move when Black has a
pawn on c5. But the way it is, it makes sense to over-protect e5 and restrict
the d7-knight, as Black will need some time to organise his counterplay
against d4.} (10. Re1 b5 11. Nf1 b4 {[%cal Gc8a6,Gd7c5]}) 10... f6 {
Immediately starting the fight against White's space advantage.} (10... b5 11.
a3 (11. Re1 b4 12. c4 $5) 11... Na5 12. Re1 c5 13. h4 (13. dxc5 Nxc5 14. Nd4
Nd3 15. Re3 Nxc1 16. Rxc1 Nc4 17. Nxc4 bxc4 {[%cal Ge7c5]} 18. Nc6 Qd7 19.
Nxe7+ Qxe7 20. Qd4 Qa7 $132 {White's blockade does not look too stable as the
b2-pawn is chronically weak and he will need his rooks to defend it.}) 13...
Nb6 14. Bf1 b4 $15 {Van Putten,H-Vedder,H (2335) Breda 1997 (0-1, 38)}) (10...
Ncb8 $5 $146 11. Re1 c5 12. Nf1 Nc6 {leads to some normal French play with the
nuance that the white bishop is not optimally placed on g2.}) 11. exf6 Bxf6 {
[%csl Ge5]} 12. Ne1 {This straightforward way of stabilising the centre will
result in a weakening of the queenside.} ({The main alternative is} 12. Nb1 $5
{[%csl Gd5]} Kh8 (12... e5 13. dxe5 Ndxe5 14. Nxe5 Nxe5 15. Qxd5+ Qxd5 16.
Bxd5+ Kh8 17. Nd2 $14) 13. Na3 Ra5 14. Bd2 $5 $14 {And White seems to be
keeping things under control.}) 12... Nb6 13. f4 a3 $1 14. Ndf3 (14. b3 Nxd4
$17) 14... axb2 15. Bxb2 $11 {The weakness of White's queenside is as relevant
as his control over e5.} Na5 (15... Na4 $5) (15... Nc4 $5) 16. Nd3 Nac4 17. Bc1
Na4 (17... Qe8 18. Re1 Qa4 19. Qe2 Qa5 20. Bd2 Qa3 $132) 18. Qc2 Bd7 19. Rb1 b5
20. h4 Be8 (20... c5 $5 21. Nde5 Be8) 21. Bh3 Qd7 22. Re1 Ra6 {Both sides'
play has been logical, but now White seems to have some problems meeting ...
Bg6.} 23. f5 $6 {A thematic but slightly unsound sacrifice.} ({Rapport may
have disliked} 23. Ng5 Bxg5 24. hxg5 Bg6 {but White can get out of the pin with
} 25. Rb3 c5 26. Qe2 $13) 23... exf5 24. Nb4 Rd6 (24... Re6 $5 25. Rxe6 Qxe6
26. Bxf5 Qf7 27. Bxh7+ Kh8 {[%cal Gg7g6] This position is not easy to evaluate
in advance, especially when Black has the solid game move at his disposal. The
main point in this line is that White is very poorly developed, offering Black
more than enough compensation for the pawn.} 28. Bd3 (28. Bf5 c5 29. dxc5 Be7
30. g4 g6 $19) 28... Qh5 $17) 25. Qd3 (25. Bxf5 Bg6 $17) 25... g6 $17 {Black
has an extra pawn and the better structure. In other words, he should slowly
win.} 26. Bf4 (26. Bh6 Bg7 27. Bxg7 Qxg7 $17) 26... Rb6 (26... c5 $5 27. Nc2 (
27. Bxd6 Qxd6 {[%csl Gg3]} 28. dxc5 Qxc5+ 29. Kh1 Nxc3 30. Rb3 d4 $19) 27...
Re6 $17) 27. Bh6 Bg7 28. Bxg7 Kxg7 {[%csl Gd5]} 29. Ne5 Qd8 30. Bg2 Rd6 31. Re2
f4 {Probably a way of preparing ...c7-c5.} ({If} 31... c5 32. dxc5 Nxc5 33. Qd4
Ne6 34. Qa7+ Kg8 35. Rbe1 $132 {and Black does not have ...Nxf4.}) ({But the
solid} 31... c6 $17 {keeps the advantage intact.}) 32. Rf1 $2 (32. gxf4 $1 c5
$1 (32... Qxh4 33. Nxd5 $13) (32... Rxf4 33. Qg3 Rf8 (33... Qxh4 34. Qxh4 Rxh4
35. Nxc4 dxc4 36. Rxe8) 34. Rbe1 $16) 33. dxc5 Nxc5 34. Qg3 (34. Qd4 Ne6 35.
Qa7+ Kg8) 34... d4 35. cxd4 Ne6 $36) 32... c6 33. h5 (33. Rxf4 Rxf4 34. gxf4
Qxh4 $17) 33... Qg5 (33... g5 34. gxf4 Bxh5 $17) 34. gxf4 Qxh5 35. Ref2 (35.
Nxc4 bxc4 36. Re7+ Rf7 37. Qe3 $132) 35... Rdf6 36. Qg3 Nd6 $17 {Black has
regrouped perfectly keeping the extra pawn and the better structure.} 37. Bf3
Nf5 38. Qg5 Qh4 39. Rh2 Qg3+ 40. Rg2 Qxg5 41. fxg5 Re6 42. Rc1 $6 Nh4 $19 43.
Bg4 Rxe5 44. dxe5 Nxg2 45. Kxg2 Rf4 46. Bc8 Re4 47. e6 Nb6 48. Bb7 Rxe6 49. Kf2
Na4 50. Re1 Rxe1 51. Kxe1 Nxc3 52. Nxc6 Nxa2 53. Kd2 b4 0-1

[Event "WchT 12th"]
[Site "Astana"]
[Date "2019.03.14"]
[Round "9.5"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Grandelius, Nils"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B51"]
[WhiteElo "2708"]
[BlackElo "2694"]
[PlyCount "93"]
[EventDate "2019.03.05"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "KAZ"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 189"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.04.29"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.04.29"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Sweden"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "SWE"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Nd7 4. a4 e6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 b6 7. d4 cxd4 8. Qxd4
Bb7 9. O-O Ngf6 10. Rd1 Be7 11. Be3 O-O 12. e5 Bxf3 13. exd6 Bxe2 14. Nxe2 Nd5
15. dxe7 Qxe7 16. Nc3 Nxe3 17. Qxe3 Rfd8 18. Nd5 Qf8 19. Nxb6 Nxb6 20. Qxb6
Rdb8 21. Qd4 Rb4 22. Qe5 Qc8 23. Rd2 f6 24. Qe2 Rxb2 25. Rad1 Kh8 26. h3 h6 27.
Rd6 Rab8 28. R1d2 R2b6 29. Rd7 R6b7 30. R7d6 Rb6 31. c4 Rxd6 32. Rxd6 e5 33.
Qe4 a5 34. Rd5 Qc7 35. g3 Rc8 36. c5 Qb8 37. Qf5 Qb7 38. Rd6 Qc7 39. c6 Qb8 40.
h4 Qc7 41. Qe6 Kh7 42. h5 Qb8 43. Rd7 Qb1+ 44. Kh2 Rf8 45. Qg4 Rg8 46. c7 Qb6
47. Rxg7+ 1-0

[Event "EU-chT 22nd"]
[Site "Batumi"]
[Date "2019.11.01"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Adams, Michael"]
[Black "Andreikin, Dmitry"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C07"]
[WhiteElo "2694"]
[BlackElo "2741"]
[PlyCount "133"]
[EventDate "2019.10.24"]
[EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "GEO"]
[SourceTitle "CBM 193"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2019.12.31"]
[SourceQuality "1"]
[WhiteTeam "England"]
[BlackTeam "Russia"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ENG"]
[BlackTeamCountry "RUS"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 c5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Ngf3 cxd4 6. Bc4 Qd6 7. O-O Nf6 8.
Nb3 Nc6 9. Nbxd4 Nxd4 10. Nxd4 Be7 11. b3 O-O 12. Bb2 Qf4 13. Qf3 Qxf3 14. Nxf3
b6 15. a4 Bb7 16. a5 Be4 17. Rfc1 Rad8 18. Ne1 Bg6 19. Bd3 Ne4 20. Kf1 Rd7 21.
f3 Bf6 22. Bxf6 Nxf6 23. Bxg6 hxg6 24. axb6 axb6 25. Rd1 Rc7 26. Rd6 Rb8 27.
Ra6 b5 28. Rab6 Rcc8 29. Rdc6 Rd8 30. Rxb8 Rxb8 31. Nd3 Nd5 32. h4 Ra8 33. Ke2
Ra1 34. Rc8+ Kh7 35. Ne5 f6 36. Nd7 Ne7 37. Nxf6+ gxf6 38. Rc7 Kh6 39. Rxe7 e5
40. g4 Rc1 41. Kd3 Rf1 42. Ke2 Rc1 43. Rc7 Rh1 44. Rf7 Rxh4 45. Rxf6 Kg5 46.
Rb6 Kf4 47. Rf6+ Kg5 48. Rb6 Kf4 49. Rf6+ Kg5 50. Rf8 Rh2+ 51. Kd3 b4 52. c3
bxc3 53. Kxc3 Rf2 54. Kd3 Rb2 55. Kc4 e4 56. fxe4 Kxg4 57. e5 Rc2+ 58. Kd5 Rd2+
59. Kc6 Re2 60. Kd6 Rd2+ 61. Ke7 Rb2 62. Rb8 g5 63. e6 Kh5 64. Ke8 g4 65. e7 g3
66. Kd7 Rd2+ 67. Kc6 1-0

